Combination of low-energy shock-wave therapy and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation to improve the erectile function of diabetic rats

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation and low-energy shock-wave therapy (LESWT) have emerged as potential and effective treatment protocols for diabetic erectile dysfunction. During the tracking of transplanted stem cells in diabetic erectile dysfunction models, the number of visible stem cells was rather low and decreased quickly. LESWT could recruit endogenous stem cells to the cavernous body and improve the microenvironment in diabetic cavernous tissue. Thus, we deduced that LESWT might benefit transplanted stem cell survival and improve the effects of stem cell transplantation. In this research, 42 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomized into four groups: the diabetic group (n = 6), the LESWT group (n = 6), the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation group (n = 15), and the combination of LESWT and BMSC transplantation group (n = 15). One and three days after BMSC transplantation, three rats were randomly chosen to observe the survival numbers of BMSCs in the cavernous body. Four weeks after BMSC transplantation, the following parameters were assessed: the surviving number of transplanted BMSCs in the cavernous tissue, erectile function, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and penile immunohistochemical assessment. Our research found that LESWT favored the survival of transplanted BMSCs in the cavernous body, which might be related to increased stromal cell-derived factor-1 expression and the enhancement of angiogenesis in the diabetic cavernous tissue. The combination of LESWT and BMSC transplantation could improve the erectile function of diabetic erectile function rats more effectively than LESWT or BMSC transplantation performed alone.

Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Attenuates Erectile Dysfunction in Rats with Hyperlipidemia

“…After the 12-week treatment, erectile function was assessed using intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) tests as previously reported [12]. Briefly, while under anesthesia, the bilateral cavernous nerves were exposed and a bipolar steel electrode was used for nerve stimulation.…”

Maintenance of the contractile phenotype in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells by Myocardin gene therapy ameliorates erectile dysfunction in bilateral cavernous nerve injury rats

“…Therefore, the validity and durability of stem cell therapy in the clinic requires further investigation. Additionally, antioxidant and Li‐ESWT therapies have been explored in animal experiments, exerting particular influence in anti‐inflammatory responses and improving endothelial function (Shan et al ., ). In recent years, several studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of, and the underlying mechanism for, the involvement of endogenous stem cells (SCs) in these two treatments.…”

Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Containing Stem Cells Combined with Low Intensity Shock Wave for the Treatment of Human Erectile Dysfunction

“…There have been several reports describing the combination of adipose-derived MSCs with penile shock wave in a Racine model demonstrating positive effects on the cavernosal tissue [9,36,37]. In one such study, combination treated penile tissue showed significantly increased levels of cavernous nerve beta-III tubulin expression, smooth muscle actin, neural and endothelial NOS nitric oxide synthase, cGMP, and reduced cavernosal apoptotic index [37].…”