Serum relaxin-3 and galanin levels in individuals with erectile dysfunction with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study was designed to determine the serum relaxin-3 and galanin levels in individuals with erectile dysfunction with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 154 individuals aged 30-60 were included in the study and the participants were divided into three groups: D-ED group (individuals with T2DM and ED) (n=49), ND-ED group (individuals with ED without T2DM) (n=55), and control group (individuals without T2DM and ED) (n=50). The age, BMI, and IIEF-5 score were recorded for all participants. The HDL, LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol, HbA1c and testosterone were determined from the blood taken from the participants, and galanin and relaxin-3 levels were measured in serum samples by ELISA method. The IIEF-5 score of the D-ED group was statistically lower than that of the ND-ED and control groups, and the IIEF-5 score of the ND-ED group was also lower than that of the control group.  Serum testosterone levels in the control group were statistically higher than in the D-ED and ND-ED groups. The galanin level of the D-ED group was elevated than the control and ND-ED groups, but the galanin level of the ND-ED group was lower than the control group. The relaxin-3 levels were decreased in the D-ED and ND-ED groups compared to the control group. Galanin levels increased in individuals with T2DM and ED, however decreased in individuals with ED without T2DM. In addition, reduced relaxin-3 level may play a role in the development of ED.