ED 01. The effects of herbal formula (KBMSI-1, KBMSI-2) on the penile erection and corpus cavernosum in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: Late onset hypogonadism (LOH) not only brings bothersome symptoms and frustrations to patients, but also negatively impact on men's psychological well-being. Studies examining the interrelationship among symptoms of androgen deficiency, psychological well-being and quality of life are needed.

Methods: Eligible subjects were asked to complete the following questionnaires at baseline and month 6: AMS rating scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and The Short Form Health Survey-12 (SF- 12). In this study, subjects were treated and monitored for 6 months with oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) capsules, each containing 40 mg TU (Andriol). All the subjects were orally administered 120-160 mg TU on a daily basis. T tests were used to compare total and free T levels between baseline and month 6. ANOVA was used to compare the change from baseline.

Results: 80 eligible subjects were recruited and followed up. Serum testosterone concentrations before and after intervention were 230±21 ng/dL and 395±34 ng/dL. The mean HADS anxiety subscale scores for the subjects at baseline and in month 6 were 3.47±0.4 and 1.72±0.2, respectively (t=1.526, P<0.05). Additionally, the mean HADS depression subscale scores were 4.91±0.6 and 2.39±0.3, respectively (t=3.466, P<0.05). The mean scores on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for the subjects at baseline and in month 6 were 12.88±2.1 and 9.83±1.7, respectively (t=4.009, P<0.05). Significantly improved SF- 12 could be observed (t=1.433 and 1.118, respectively; both P<0.05).

Conclusion: Androgen replacement not only improves androgen deficiency associated symptoms, but is also responsible for comprehensive improvement in psychological issues.