Non-muscular invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is one of the most common cancer and major cause of economical and health burden in developed countries. Progression of NMIBC has been characterized as lowgrade (Ta) and high grade (carcinoma in situ and T1). The current surgical intervention for NMIBC includes transurethral resection of bladder tumor; however, its recurrence still remains a challenge. The BCG-based immunotherapy is much effective against low-grade NMIBC. BCG increases the influx of T cells at bladder cancer site and inhibits proliferation of bladder cancer cells. The chemotherapy is another traditional approach to address NMIBC by supplementing BCG. Notwithstanding, these current therapeutic measures possess limited efficacy in controlling NMIBC, and do not provide comprehensive long-term relief. Hence, biomaterials and scaffolds seem an effective medium to deliver therapeutic agents for restructuring bladder post-treatment. The regenerative therapies such as stem cells and PRP have also been explored for possible solution to NMIBC. Based on abovementioned approaches, we have comprehensively analyzed therapeutic journey from traditional to regenerative interventions for the treatment of NMIBC.
Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine in which needles are inserted into specific areas in the body to stimulate certain physiological reactions of the body. Clinical research shows that acupuncture is beneficial in treating a variety of illnesses, such as erectile dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of both low- and high frequencies at Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongji (CV3) acupoints on male copulatory behavior in sexually experienced male rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham EA, EA, and only acupuncture. The administered low and high EA were 2 Hz and 80 Hz, respectively, for which the respective intensities were 1.5 mA (30 min/day for 5 days) and 1.5 mA (30 min once). The only acupuncture-administered group received acupunctures at CV4 and CV3 without electrical stimulation. Following the acupuncture treatments, copulatory behavior test was conducted. Eventually, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for testing the serum hormonal profile including luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and serotonin (5-HT). Results showed that low-frequency EA-treated rats exhibited increasing intromissions and ejaculation latency compared to control, sham EA, and acupuncture groups, while high-frequency EA-treated rats displayed lower intromissions and ejaculation frequency when compared with those in controls. Furthermore, serum levels of 5-HT and LH in low-frequency EA-treated rats were higher than all the other groups. These results indicate that compared to high-frequency EA, the low-frequency EA might be efficacious in the treatment of premature ejaculation, thereby improving sexual behavior.
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