The relationship between serum adropin levels and erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with endothelial damage, especially atherosclerosis. The search for biomarkers that can predict ED still continues. Adropin is known to affect nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and energy homeostasis. In our study, we have aimed to investigate the relationship between serum adropin levels and ED. Male patients with and without ED between 40–60 years of age, who presented to the outpatient clinics of urology between November 2019–February 2020, were prospectively included in the study. Biochemical values measured at the time of admission to the outpatient clinic. According to the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores which range between 5 and 25 points, patients with a score ≤21 were considered to have ED. The patients were divided into two groups: as ED and non-ED control groups. Laboratory values obtained at admission to outpatient clinics of urology were compared between groups. Patients with (n: 40), and without (n: 40) ED were included in the study. The mean age (50.2 ± 5.7 years), average body mass index (BMI) (29.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2), IIEF score (15.8 ± 6 pts), serum adropin (584.8 ± 172 pg/mL), and total testosterone (396.4 ± 91.7 ng/dL) levels were recorded. Serum adropin and testosterone levels were statistically significantly higher in the non-ED group than in the ED group (712.3 ± 222 pg/mL vs. 511.1 ± 145 pg/mL, p < 0.001 and 420.5 ± 56 ng/dL vs. 374.3 ± 98 ng/dL, respectively p = 0.032). Whereas fasting blood glucose (FBG) values were found to be statistically significantly higher in the ED group (100.2 ± 14 mg/dL vs. 143.8 ± 78 mg/dL, p = 0.001). According to the results of our study, serum levels of adropin which improves endothelial functions were comparatively lower in ED patients, as expected.