Erectile dysfunction drug shows potential for muscle regeneration

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 10:03 · Archive

Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, increased survival of muscle precursor cells in laboratory tests.

Researchers in Italy have discovered a potential association between tadalafil, the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, and muscle regeneration. The study, published in the journal Molecular Biology Reports, tested the drug on mouse muscle cells in a laboratory setting over a seven-day period, examining how it affected muscle cell growth, survival and development.

Tadalafil was found to increase the number of muscle precursor cells, which are involved in early muscle formation, and helped more of them survive. The drug also showed signs of helping muscles repair themselves by encouraging growth and reducing cell death. However, the research found that tadalafil delayed the development of fully mature muscle cells, suggesting it could create and maintain more cells involved in muscle regeneration but does not indicate an increase in muscle size and function in humans.

Dr Cristina Antinozzi, a researcher in the Endocrinology Unit at the University of Rome Foro Italico, said the findings represent an 'encouraging look at how tadalafil might be repurposed to support muscle tissue repair and regeneration'. She cautioned that more work is needed and highlighted 'the need to monitor how such mechanisms might be viewed or misused in sports and performance contexts'.

The study's findings are limited by its use of mouse models and its seven-day duration, with researchers acknowledging that more research is needed to understand the drug's long-term effects and how results might translate to humans.

How it is being reported

• Popular erectile dysfunction pill may deliver additional boost to aging menTadalafil helped early muscle cells grow and survive over a seven-day period, research found.New York Post · 14 Oct, 09:43
• Popular erectile dysfunction pill may deliver additional boost to aging menTadalafil boosted muscle precursor cell survival in a lab study, but researchers say the active Cialis ingredient also delayed mature muscle development.Fox News · 13 Oct, 20:54

In this story: Cialis · Molecular Biology Reports · Cristina Antinozzi · University of Rome Foro Italico · Italy

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