Exploring the use of erectile dysfunction drugs to improve bone health in elderly females
Official title: Proof-of-Concept and Mechanistic Studies to Repurpose Erectile Dysfunction Drugs for Elderly Females
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11054645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether common erectile dysfunction medications, like tadalafil and vardenafil, can help improve bone health and prevent osteoporosis in older women by boosting bone growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $678,675 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071870-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly females at risk of osteoporosis or experiencing bone density loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not elderly females or those without risk factors for osteoporosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of repurposing FDA-approved erectile dysfunction medications, such as tadalafil and vardenafil, to enhance bone health in elderly women. The study focuses on how these drugs inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A), which plays a crucial role in bone remodeling. By stimulating the nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G pathway, the research aims to determine if these medications can increase bone mass and prevent osteoporosis in older females. The approach includes preclinical studies in mice to assess the effects of these drugs on bone formation and resorption.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for preventing osteoporosis in elderly women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in using PDE5A inhibitors for bone health in male populations, suggesting potential for success in this novel application for females.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuen, Tony — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Yuen, Tony
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.