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he drug class statins may offer hope to men who haven't gotten improved erectile performance from drugs like Viagra.

So conclude researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine who say early findings from a small study show that this class of cholesterol-lowering drugs appear to improve erectile dysfunction(ED) in that population.

About 10 to 30 percent of men with ED are considered "Viagra non-responders," the researchers said.

In a placebo-based study, 12 patients with ED who had not responded well to Viagra were given either high-dose Lipitor or placebo. The patients then tried using Viagra again.

"There did seem to be some improvement for those who received Lipitor versus the placebo," said Lead Investigator Howard Herrman.

The statin drug appeared to improve the chances of Viagra being effective because it treats the underlying problem in many Viagra non-responders, a condition known as endothelial dysfunction, which is often one of the first signs of atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque and blockages in the arteries.

Patients with this condition do not have enough nitric oxide available for a normal erection to occur, the researchers explained.

"We theorized that if you could make the edothelium healthier through the use of statins -- so that there is more nitric oxide available -- you would improve the endothelial dysfunction and Viagra would work better for the patient," Herrman said.

"It's already known that there is a connection between erectile dysfunction and coronary disease. The risk factors are the same for both, and thus, ED can be a marker for coronary disease," he noted.

The findings also suggest that any drug class that improves endothelial dysfunction --like statins -- might also benefit patients with diabetes, the researchers said.

The study results are published in the March issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

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