EFFECTS OF SILDENAFIL ON THE RELAXATION OF HUMAN CORPUS CAVERNOSUM TISSUE IN VITRO AND ON THE ACTIVITIES OF CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE ISOZYMES

Abstract

The data support the proposal that enhancement of penile erection by sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction involves potentiation of the NO-stimulated cGMP signal mediating relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil is a potent inhibitor of PDE5 from HCC, with high selectivity for PDE5 relative to other PDE isozymes.