- OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study wereto analyze the cavernosal tissue metabolic status of patientswith vascular and psychogenic impotence and attempt toestablish metabolic differences between these types oferectile dysfunction.METHODS: 103 patients were classified according tothe type of erectile dysfunction into group A (vascular)and group B (psychogenic). Diagnosis was based onclinical history, physical examination, intracavernosalinjection test, penile echo-doppler assessment,cavernosography-cavernosometry and nocturnal peniletest. Cavernosal and peripheral venous blood sampleswere obtained from each patient and the lipoperoxide(LPO) levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined. SPSS V9.0 was used for the statistical analysis.RESULTS: The mean age was 62 years (range 32-73).Cavernosal blood lipoperoxide levels were statisticallyhigher (p <0.05) in patients with vascular impotence(2.45µmol/L) than in those with psychogenic impotence(1.47 µmol/L). Cavernosal blood total antioxidant statuswas statistically higher (p <0.05) in patients withpsychogenic (1.40 mmol/L) than those with vascularimpotence (1.10 mmol/L). The lipoperoxide levels andtotal antioxidant status for peripheral blood were 1.68µmol/L vs 1.60 µmol/L and 1.29 mmol/L vs 1.35 mmol/L,respectively, with no statistically significant differencesbetween both groups.CONCLUSIONS: Cavernosal blood lipoperoxide levelsand total antioxidant status can be an indicator ofcavernosal tissue metabolic status and function.