Scalp Stem Cell Deactivation May Be Cause of Male Pattern Baldness

Balding can cause a tremendous amount of anxiety for both men and women. Current treatments available may help to maintain the hair already present on the scalp, but aren’t effective in re-growing hair. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania may have found a cause of male pattern baldness that may someday lead to treatments to reverse hair loss.

Stem Cells Do Not Mature Into Progenitor Cells in Androgenetic Alopecia

Dr. George Cotsarelis, professor of dermatology at the University’s School of Medicine, and colleagues have discovered a cellular malfunction that may be a reason why hair-producing progenitor cells cause hair loss. The team compared the scalps of 54 while males, aged 40 to 65, some of which had androgenetic alopecia, the clinical name for male-pattern baldness.
Scalp cells were tagged with a marker to distinguish the different types - stem cells or progenitor cells – so that the researchers could count the number of each.
Read: Bald is Beautiful, and May Lead to a Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer
Stem cells are naïve cells that can go on to become other cells, such as progenitor cells that become hair follicles. In men who are bald, the hair follicles have shrunken and become microscopic. So scientists have long thought that bald people may have a depletion of hair follicle stem cells. But this didn’t turn out to be true.
Men with bald scalps have the same number of stem cells on their heads as men with hair, however those experiencing hair loss had fewer progenitor cells, meaning the naïve cells had been somehow blocked or deactivated prior to becoming mature.
The question now is “once you find something is deactivated, the target there in terms of therapy is, can you turn it on,” says CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton.
Read: Going Gray or Bald - Which is Worse?
Dr. Cotsarelis suggests that if they could coax the stem cells into producing more progenitor cells, then it would be possible to generate bigger hair follicles that could grow hair. “It’s not impossible. It gives you hope,” he says.
But the cure won’t come for several years, if not decades, warns Dr. Cotsarelis. “There’s no treatment around the corner. It’s really going to take quite a while to figure this out.”
Currently, Rogaine and Propecia are the only two treatments for baldness approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Both medications may slow hair loss, but cannot re-grow hair.

Erectile Dysfunction: Incidence Rate Linked To Type and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Erectile Dysfunction and Men

An Italian study of men with erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease (CAD) has shown for the first time that the rates of dysfunction differ according to the type and severity of the disease.
It is low among men who have acute coronary syndrome (ACS), mainly acute myocardial infarction with one blood vessel affected� � - for example, who have had a sudden heart attack without a background of furred-up arteries� � - but high in those with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), mainly effort-induced angina pectoris and involving many arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis.
They have also shown in their study of nearly 300 men, that among CCS patients who had both ED and CAD, 93% reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) between one and three years before experiencing angina, with two years being the average time.
Their findings are reported on line (Wednesday 19 July) in European Heart Journal[1], journal of the European Society of Cardiology.
The results have prompted the researchers, from the University of Milan and the University Vita-Salute Ospedale S. Raffaele, also in Milan, to call for long-term medical surveillance in patients with� � erectile dysfunction and multiple risk factors, but with no clinical signs of coronary artery disease. They say their research has fuelled the concept of erectile dysfunction as 'sentinel of the heart'.
Their warning has been reinforced in an accompanying editorial[2] by Dr Graham Jackson, consultant cardiologist at the Cardiothoracic Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, UK.
"All men with� � erectile dysfunction and no cardiac symptoms need a detailed cardiac assessment, blood pressure measurement, fasting lipid profile and glucose, as well as lifestyle advice regarding weight and exercise," said Dr Jackson. "Those at cardiovascular risk ideally need stress testing and referral for risk reduction therapy, and advice with appropriate follow-up."

New Theory About Preserving Erectile Function After Prostate Surgery

Prostate Surgery
Erectile dysfunction after surgery to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy) has traditionally been attributed to nerve damage that theoretically should heal over time.
But it can take as long as two years for the nerves to recover enough for a man to have an erection without the aid of drugs or devices. By that time, other damage may have occurred, according to an article in the latest issue of Perspectives on Prostate Disease.
The Harvard Medical School bulletin notes that when the penis is flaccid for long periods of time, it is deprived of a lot of oxygen-rich blood. Recent research suggests that this low oxygen level causes some muscle cells in the penis's erectile tissue to lose their flexibility. The tissue gradually becomes more like scar tissue, interfering with the penis's ability to expand when it's filled with blood.
Therefore, the traditional advice given to men -- to wait for erectile function to return on its own -- may not be adequate. Simply put, erections seem to work on a use-it-or-lose-it basis. To prevent the secondary damage that may occur if the penis goes too long without erections, researchers now think it's better to restore erectile function soon after prostate removal. Treatment options include using a vacuum pump device or taking erectile dysfunction drugs by mouth or by injection into the penis.
According to Dr. Marc Garnick, editor in chief of Perspectives on Prostate Disease and a Harvard oncologist, "Although the evidence supporting this 'penile rehabilitation' isn't perfect, you may want to ask your doctor about the options. Such early intervention may help increase the odds that you will regain erectile function."
Also covered in the 48-page report:
-- Alternative therapies for prostate cancer
-- Handling a prostate cancer relapse
-- Surgical options for benign prostatic hyperplasia
A year's subscription to Perspectives on Prostate Disease is available for $99 (for print and electronic versions; $89 for electronic only) from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

The Psychology of Impotence

Impotence

Looking at the psychology of impotence is a little like taking a trip down the Amazon during the wet season. It's a subject fraught with hidden currents, treacherous shallows and wide meanderings.
There is no doubt that Viagra, the little blue pill that revolutionized the treatment of impotence has had a profound effect on men who have erectile dysfunction. But simply finding a "quick fix" for impotence doesn't overcome other problems that may have been there before treatment began.
Overcoming impotence often gives men unrealistic expectations about their ability to immediately cure their emotional problems as well as their physical ones.

The Psychology of Impotence

Sadly it seems that for a large number of men, their ability to get an erection and have sex is viewed as an integral part of their masculinity and potency. It is� � no wonder that the onset of impotence, even when triggered by an underlying physical condition, can produce psychological problems that further impact on the impotence.
Performance anxiety is a very real issue for most men at one time or another. The fear of not being able to perform adequately, dissatisfaction with penis size, and self-consciousness about body appearance can all lead to the very thing that most men wish to avoid - failure to get an erection.
When this anxiety is coupled with the knowledge there may have been an occasional episode of impotence in the past, or when erectile dysfunction has been in existence for a period of time, this anxiety is multiplied. From a strictly physiological viewpoint, anxiety can effectively prevent a man from becoming aroused and getting and maintaining an erection.
Performance anxiety isn't the only issue men have to contend with. The highest risk category for the onset of impotence is the so-called "baby-boomers" - men born in the period from 1946 to 1964. Most of these men are in their peak performance years in terms of their job, status, family and financial success. And all these factors lead to an increase in stress levels and anxiety - one more reason for impotence to occur.
Taking a pill may temporarily overcome the impotence, but relieving the self-doubt and mental stress, which may have been brooding for any number of years, is harder to alleviate. The ability to regain quality of life by restoring sexual function is viewed by some men as a near miracle and by others with fear and trepidation.
It's important to honestly assess how you feel now and compare it to how you felt before the impotence treatment began. Easier said than done, but unless the negative feelings tied to the impotence can be viewed objectively, it's akin to the stories people who have gained a great deal of weight often say "I feel like a thin person trapped in a fat person's body". For men it's "I feel like an impotent man trapped in a body that now has full sexual function."
The psychology of impotence is about viewing your new life - with sexual function - as a new beginning, complete with all the new emotions that may be experienced. There's no point in trying to "recapture" your life the way it was prior to impotence, regardless of whether that was only months ago or many years ago. Time moves on, and trying to live out life the way it used to be is a sure-fire bet for failure.

Warning Against Unauthorized Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Products

Health Canada is warning consumers not to use Vigoureux, an unauthorized product promoted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The product may pose serious health risks, as it was found to contain the prescription drug sildenafil, which is not indicated on the label and should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions, including those with heart problems, those taking heart medications, or those at risk for strokes, may be at an increased risk of serious health effects associated with the use of this product.
Use of sildenafil by patients with heart disease can result in serious cardiovascular side-effects such as sudden cardiac death, heart attack, stroke, low blood pressure, chest pain and abnormal heartbeat. Additionally, use of sildenafil may be associated with other side-effects including vision loss, seizure, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, dizziness, prolonged erection, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion and abdominal pain. Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking any type of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) due to the risk of developing potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.
Vigoureux is labelled as distributed by International in Montreal, Quebec and labelled in French only. The product may be available at retail outlets across Canada. Health Canada advises retailers to remove Vigoureux from their shelves, and consumers should return the product to the place of purchase. Canadians who have used Vigoureux and are concerned about their health should consult with a health care professional.
Health Canada advises consumers not to use Vigoureux or any other unauthorized products promoted for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that are advertised as "all natural", as such products may contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients that may pose serious risks to health. Consumers who are concerned about erectile dysfunction should consult with their health care professional to discuss appropriate and authorized treatments.
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Drug Identification Number for Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM) on the label.

LEVITRA Successfully Treats Erectile Dysfunction In Men With Dyslipidemia

Results of the first prospective trial specifically designed to evaluate erectile function in erectile dysfunction (ED) patients with dyslipidemia show that LEVITRA (vardenafil HCl), used in treating ED, significantly improves the ability of men with ED and dyslipidemia to achieve and maintain an erection for successful sexual intercourse. These data were presented at the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) Fall Meeting held in Chicago, IL.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study is the first study to measure the safety and efficacy of a PDE 5 inhibitor in a cohort of men who all had ED and dyslipidemia. Results from the study of 395 men show that LEVITRA significantly increased rates of penetration (as measured by SEP2 scores) and the ability to maintain an erection (as measured by SEP3 scores) compared to placebo.
"ED is associated with high cholesterol, yet many physicians are not treating ED, a life-changing condition," said Dr. Martin Miner, Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Brown University's Warren Alpert School of Medicine. "This study provides further support that LEVITRA can successfully treat ED, even in men with a serious common condition like high cholesterol."
Nearly 70 percent of the estimated 30 million men in the United States who have ED also have other common conditions such as dyslipidemia (including high cholesterol), hypertension, or diabetes, which may lead to erectile dysfunction. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of LEVITRA in men with ED who also have high blood pressure or diabetes.
About the Study
In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 395 men ages 18 to 64 that had ED and dyslipidemia were randomized to treatment with LEVITRA or placebo for 12 weeks.
Men treated with LEVITRA had statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in SEP2 scores (a rating system that measures penetration) and SEP3 scores (a rating system that measures maintenance of erection) versus placebo (79.1% and 66.7%, respectively, for LEVITRA, vs. 51.9% and 33.8%, respectively, for placebo). IIEF-EF (International Index of Erectile Function) scores also were significantly higher for the LEVITRA group compared to the placebo group. These scores are evaluated based on a patient questionnaire and their daily diary response to specific questions about sexual performance.
LEVITRA was well tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse effects (occurring in = 5% of patients) included headaches (9% for LEVITRA, 1% for placebo) and upper respiratory tract infections (5% for LEVITRA, 3% for placebo).