[Hyperlipidemia and erectile dysfunction].

Hyperlipidemia is one of the risk factors leading to erectile dysfunction (ED), a common disorder in men, especially in old men. Epidemiological studies have found that the decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL) and elevation of total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (TC/HDL) are correlated with ED. Studies have also shown that arterial stenosis and occlusion caused by hyperlipidemia could be attributed to the advanced-stage mechanism of ED induced by hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia may damage man's erectile function at an early stage by affecting the endothelial cells and smooth muscles of the penis and the peripheral nerves for penile erection. Apart from dietary therapy and drug therapy aiming at hyperlipidemia, the traditional Chinese medicine therapy and gene therapy are two promising approaches to the treatment of ED caused by hyperlipidemia.