Description

Sildenfail is a vasoactive agent used to treat erectile dysfunction and reduce symptoms in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Sildenafil (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sildenafil) elevates levels of the second messenger, cGMP (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/cGMP), by inhibiting its breakdown via phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 is found in particularly high concentrations in the corpus cavernosum, erectile tissue of the penis. It is also found in the retina and vascular endothelium. Increased cGMP (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/cGMP) results in vasodilation which facilitates generation and maintenance of an erection. The vasodilatory effects of sildenafil (http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/sildenafil) also help reduce symptoms of PAH.