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Viagra: an unexpected side effect that could save thousands of lives

Credits: iStock - yanyong

Because of its specific effects on male physiology, Viagra has changed the lives of countless men across the world over the past two decades. But that’s not all. An unexpected side effect of the little blue pill could save thousands of lives. 

Researchers who studied the effects of Viagra (AKA sildenafil) on mice discovered that a small daily dose of the medication, added to the animals’ drinking water, significantly reduced their risk of developing bowel cancer. “Giving a small dose of Viagra could reduce the number of tumours in these animals by half”, explained biochemist Darren D. Browning of the Augusta University. Keep in mind all the same that up until now, this surprising result has only been observed in mice, and not in humans. But clearly, this is the next step.

The team hope to follow up this research with clinical trials on patients likely to develop bowel cancer -or who have a family history of the disease. If such trials get the green light, and if the results can be reproduced in humans, it would be a huge step forward towards saving the millions of lives that are lost every year. Remember that bowel cancer is the third most widespread cancer in the world. According to the researchers, it could then be possible to reduce the alarming numbers of sufferers, using Viagra.

The researchers demonstrated that a daily dose of Viagra halved the formation of polyps (abnormal cell growths) that form in the lining of the intestine, which can become tumours. Another medication tested by the researchers, linaclotide, used to treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, appears even more effective than Viagra. However, this leads to diarrhea, which makes it unsuitable for prolonged use. By contrast, small doses of Viagra don’t seem to have any side effects in humans.

This medication appears to promote the production of a chemical called GMP (GlycoMacroPeptides) in the intestines. The exact process by which these peptides benefit the lining of the intestine is yet to be studied, but research suggests that this chemical prevents excessive multiplication of cells in the intestines. In short, it seems to stimulate the formation of normal cells, while eliminating abnormal ones.

It should also be noted that Viagra is used in this case as a preventative measure. Viagra does not appear to be able to fight cells that have already become cancerous.

You can find all the details of this study in Cancer Prevention Research.

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