Could an ED Drug Help Prevent Diabetes?

The erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil—sold as Viagra and other brand names—improves insulin sensitivity in individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes, according to recent research.

Sildenafil works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodieserase 5 (PDE5), which, in turn, relaxes smooth muscle and improves vasodilation and blood flow. It is also used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Previous research has shown that the drug can improve insulin sensitivity in mice, so in order to test its use in humans, researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of overweight participants with prediabetes randomly assigned to either sildenafil or placebo for 3 months. Participants underwent a hyperglycemic clamp at both the beginning and end of the study.

Of the 42 participants who completed the study, researchers found that insulin sensitivity was significantly greater in those treated with sildenafil than in those taking placebo.

In contrast, treatment with sildenafil did not effect acute- or late-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

“Three-month phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition enhances insulin sensitivity and improves markers of endothelial function,” they concluded.

“Sildenafil and related drugs could offer a potential avenue for addressing the rising number of diabetes diagnoses.”

—Michael Potts

References:

1. Ramirez CE, Hui N, Yu C, et al. Treatment with sildenafil improves insulin sensitivity in prediabetes: a randomized, controlled trial. JCEM. November 18, 2015. [epub ahead of print]. Doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-3415

2. Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Vanderbilt study finds erectile dysfunction drug may benefit patients at risk for diabetes [press release]. November 18, 2015. http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/11/vanderbilt-study-finds-erectile-dysfunction-drug-may-benefit-patients-at-risk-for-diabetes/.