Sexual Medicine & Andrology Unit
Coordinator
Linda Vignozzi, Associate Professor of Endocrinology
linda.vignozzi@unifi.it +390552758429
Brief Biographical sketch of the Coordinator
Born in Empoli (Florence, Italy) January 05, 1976
2001 Master Degree in Medical Science score 110 cum laude/110 - University of Florence
2006 PhD Degree in Endocrinological and Metabolic Science - University of Florence
2011 Diplomate Post-Graduate School of Endocrinology and Metabolism - University of Pisa
Member of the Scientific Board the Doctorate/PhD Program in
Biochemical Sciences
Member of the following Scientific Societies
International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)
International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM)
European Academy of Andrology (ECA)
Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE)
European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Italian Society of Obesity (SIO)
Elected President of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS)
Member of Editorial Board of the following Journals
Journal of Sexual Medicine (Deputy Editor in Chief)
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (Editorial Board)
Research Team
Ilaria Cellai
Sarah Cipriani
Paolo Comeglio
Sandra Filippi
Alessandra Daphne Fisher
Francesco Lotti
Elisa Maseroli
Giulia Rastrelli
Jiska Ristori
Irene Scavello
Current Research Interest
Clinical research on erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism.
Investigation of ultrasound correlates of male infertility, sexual dysfunctions, chronic pelvic pain and on the impact of obesity and metabolic syndrome on sonographic, seminal and sexual parameters.
Psychobiological correlates of gender dysphoria in adulthood and adolescence.
Psychobiological effects of gender transition.
Transphobia and homophobia levels in general population and healthcare providers.
Pathophysiology of the erectile function and investigation of the urogenital tract derangements induced by metabolic syndrome (MetS), diabetes and hypertension, by means of ex-vivo and in-vitro studies in rabbit and rat animal models.
Bladder, prostate and corpora cavernosa dysfunction in animal models, with particular focus on the effects of PDE5 inhibitors and sexual hormones on the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.
Effect of physical activity on penile erection and peripheral vascular districts functional alterations induced by high-fat diet in an animal model of MetS.
Studies on adipose tissue dysregulation and liver dysfunction associated with MetS features, including LUTS and inflammation, focusing on the role of androgen/estrogen ratio in pre-adipocytes from visceral adipose tissue in the rabbit animal model of MetS.
Mechanisms regulating differentiation and function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in humans and MetS animal models.
Study of DNA fragmentation in the viable sperm fraction of the ejaculate: comparison of infertile and fertile subjects and effect of the selection procedures used in Assisted Reproduction technologies.
Cellular and nuclear oxidative stress in the viable sperm fraction of the ejaculate: detection in infertile men and in cancer patients
Study of methods of semen cryopreservation: effect on motility, viability, DNA integrity and levels of oxidative stress of human spermatozoa
Use of an in vitro model for studying mechanisms originating sperm DNA fragmentation and testing molecules with antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.
Current/Recent Sources of Funding
Research Project funded by LIPOCINE - “Effects of preventive treatment with an oral androgen LPCN 1144 in a high fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome and NAFLD animal model”
Research Project funded by LIPOCINE - “Treatment potential assessment of LPCN 1144 on lung health and metabolic regulation in a non-genomic, high fat diet rabbit model”
Research Project funded by GALECTO - “Study investigating the effect of a galectin-3 inhibitor in a high fat diet (HFD) rabbit model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)”
Research Project funded by GALECTO - “Study to investigate the effect of a galectin-3 inhibitor dosed therapeutically in a high fat diet (HFD) rabbit model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)”
10 Best Publications of the last 5 years
1: Marchiani S, Baccani I, Tamburrino L, Mattiuz G, Nicolò S, Bonaiuto C, Panico C, Vignozzi L, Antonelli A, Rossolini GM, Torcia M, Baldi E. Effects of common Gram-negative pathogens causing male genitourinary-tract infections on human sperm functions. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 7;11(1):20331. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99771-2.
2: Guarnieri G, Becatti M, Comeglio P, Vignozzi L, Maggi M, Vannelli GB, Morelli A. Benzo[a]pyrene impairs the migratory pattern of human gonadotropin-releasing-hormone-secreting neuroblasts. Eur J Histochem. 2021 Aug 13;65(s1):3282. doi: 10.4081/ejh.2021.3282. 3: Cipriani S, Todisco T, Ghiandai N, Vignozzi L, Corona G, Maggi M, Rastrelli G. Biochemical predictors of structural hypothalamus-pituitary abnormalities detected by magnetic resonance imaging in men with secondary hypogonadism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2021 Dec;44(12):2785-2797. doi: 10.1007/s40618-021-01586-5.
4: Rossi E, Cassioli E, Gironi V, Idrizaj E, Garella R, Squecco R, Baccari MC, Maggi M, Vignozzi L, Comeglio P, Ricca V, Castellini G. Ghrelin as a possible biomarker and maintaining factor in patients with eating disorders reporting childhood traumatic experiences. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2021 Jul;29(4):588-599. doi: 10.1002/erv.2831.
5: Corona G, Filippi S, Comeglio P, Bianchi N, Frizza F, Dicuio M, Rastrelli G, Concetti S, Sforza A, Vignozzi L, Maggi M. Sexual function in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. Int J Impot Res. 2021 May;33(4):439-447. doi: 10.1038/s41443-021-00418-7.
6: Cocchetti C, Castellini G, Iacuaniello D, Romani A, Maggi M, Vignozzi L, Schreiner T, den Heijer M, T'Sjoen G, Fisher AD. Does Gender-Affirming Hormonal Treatment Affect 30-Year Cardiovascular Risk in Transgender Persons? A Two-Year Prospective European Study (ENIGI). J Sex Med. 2021 Apr;18(4):821-829. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.01.185.
7: Ristori J, Rossi E, Cocchetti C, Mazzoli F, Castellini G, Vignozzi L, Ricca V, Maggi M, Fisher AD. Sexual habits among Italian transgender adolescents: a cross-sectional study. Int J Impot Res. 2021 Mar 16. doi: 10.1038/s41443-021-00427-6.
8: Comeglio P, Sarchielli E, Filippi S, Cellai I, Guarnieri G, Morelli A, Rastrelli G, Maseroli E, Cipriani S, Mello T, Galli A, Bruno BJ, Kim K, Vangara K, Papangkorn K, Chidambaram N, Patel MV, Maggi M, Vignozzi L. Treatment potential of LPCN 1144 on liver health and metabolic regulation in a non-genomic, high fat diet induced NASH rabbit model. J Endocrinol Invest. 2021 Oct;44(10):2175-2193. doi: 10.1007/s40618-021-01522-7.
9: Sarchielli E, Comeglio P, Filippi S, Cellai I, Guarnieri G, Marzoppi A, Cipriani S, Vignozzi L, Morelli A, Maggi M. Neuroprotective Effects of Testosterone in the Hypothalamus of an Animal Model of Metabolic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb 4;22(4):1589. doi: 10.3390/ijms22041589.
10: Maseroli E, Comeglio P, Corno C, Cellai I, Filippi S, Mello T, Galli A, Rapizzi E, Presenti L, Truglia MC, Lotti F, Facchiano E, Beltrame B, Lucchese M, Saad F, Rastrelli G, Maggi M, Vignozzi L. Testosterone treatment is associated with reduced adipose tissue dysfunction and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese hypogonadal men. J Endocrinol Invest. 2021 Apr;44(4):819-842. doi:
10.1007/s40618-020-01381-8.
Previous Research Experiences
2001-2002: Fellow Researcher Assistant at the Dept. of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Florence, Italy
2002: Researcher Assistant at Dept. Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy
2003-2005: PhD student at Dept. Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy
2006 fellow recipient of a special research grant from BioXell, Milan, Italy
2006-2009: student at the post-graduated school of Endocrinology and Metabolic disease, University of Florence, Italy
2003-to date: Teacher at the Course of Sexual Medicine, University of Florence, Italy.
2011-to date: Teacher at the Postgraduate School of Endocrinology and Metabolism- University of Florence, Italy
2015-to date: Associate Professor of Endocrinology at the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Florence, Italy
2015-to date: Co-Coordinator of II level Master Degree Course of “Andrology and Sexual Medicine“, University of Florence, Italy
2018-to date: Director of the Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit at Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy
2019-to date: Co-Coordinator of II level Master Degree Course of “Biology and technologies for reproduction“ at the University of Florence, Italy
2019-to date: Principal Coordinator of I level Master Degree Course of “ Gender Incongruence”, University of Florence, Italy
Main Scientific Contributions
BAY 98-7081/14694: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo and active controlled, multicentre study assessing the efficacy and safety of the combination BAY 60-4552/vardenafil compared to vardenafil (20 mg) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction not sufficiently responsive to standard therapy with PDE5 inhibitors. Sub-Investigator, BayerHealthCare.
TADTEST Study. Phase III. Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Randomized Study of Co-Administering Testosterone With PDE5 Inhibitors in Patients Non-Responders to PDE5 Inhibitors Alone (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00244023) Co-investigator. Training on ICH-GCP.
A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study to assess the efficacy and safety of Tadalafil (LY450190) once a day in subject with erectile dysfunction who are naïve to PDE5 inhibitors. Phase II. Codice EUDRACT: 2008-004222-17. Training on ICH-GCP.
RHYME - Registry of hypogonadism in men designed as a multi-national patient registry assessing prostate health and other outcomes associated with testosterone treatment in men. NERI (New England Research Institutes). Training on ICH-GCP.
Premature Ejaculation-Actual Use Safety and Effectiveness Study (PAUSE). Investigator, Janssen-Cilag International N.V. An observational study.
I5E-MC-TSAT A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study with an Open-Label Extension to Assess the Impact of Testosterone Solution on Total Testosterone, Sex Drive and Energy in Hypogonadal Men.
Standardization of male genital tract colour-Doppler ultrasound parameters in healthy, fertile men. SUsPHeM, an EAA project. An observational study.
Cardiovascular Outcome of Replacement with Testosterone (CORTe). An observational study.
SIAMsO-NOI: Società Italiana di Andrologia e Medicina della sessualità Osservatorio Nazionale Outcome Ipogonadismo. An observational study.
Effectiveness of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) on Prostatic Gland in Hypogonadal Patients Affected by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Florence-PROTEST. NCT02366975. A double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.
Vardenafil and Cognitive-behavioral Sex Therapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (STEDOV). An interventional randomized clinical trial.
Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study on Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia to Assess Changes in Pressure Flow Study and in Molecular Profile of Prostatic Tissue After 12 Weeks Treatment With Tadalafil. NCT02252367.
Study of the effect of testosterone treatment on metabolic parameters and LUT function in bariatric patients. An observational study.
Study of the effect of testosterone treatment on inflammatory parameters and clinical scores in patients with Crohn disease. An observational study.
Collaborations
EAA Training Center of Rome, Department of Medical Pathophysiology University "La Sapienza" Rome, Italy (Prof. A. Lenzi, Dr. A.M. Isidori)
EAA Andrology Training Center, Endocrinology, Andrology Unit, Department of Medicine and Applied Biotechnologies, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy (Prof. G. Balercia)
University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy (Prof. E.A. Jannini)
Diabetes Agency, Careggi Teaching Hospital, Florence, Italy (Prof. E. Mannucci)
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (Prof. A. Morelli)
Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, Firenze, Italy (Prof. V. Ricca, Prof. G. Castellini)
Department of Urology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (Prof. M. Gacci)
Andrology Research Unit, Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester (Prof. F. Wu),
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy (Prof. C. Manieri)
Department of Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Prof M. Den Heijer)
Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Prof. P. Cohen-Kettenis),
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Prof. M. Simoni)
Ultimo aggiornamento
17.05.2022