The effect of low‐intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy in an obesity‐associated erectile dysfunction rat model

Abstract

ZF rats can serve as an animal model in which to study OAED. This study reveals that obesity impairs erectile function by causing smooth muscle atrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and lipid accumulation in the corpus cavernosum. Li-ESWT restored penile haemodynamic parameters in the ZF rats by restoring smooth muscle and endothelium content and reducing lipid accumulation. The underlying mechanism of Li-ESWT appears to be activation of stem/progenitor cells, which prompts cellular proliferation and accelerates penile tissue regeneration. Our findings are of interest, not just as a validation of this emerging treatment for erectile dysfunction, but also as a novel and potentially significant method to modulate endogenous stem/progenitor cells in other disease processes.

The effects of microenergy acoustic pulses on animal model of obesity‐associated stress urinary incontinence. Part 2: In situ activation of pelvic floor and urethral striated muscle progenitor cells

“…Evident demonstrated that mechanical forces direct tissue development, morphogenesis, and regeneration, 33 while low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT), as a mechanical force, activated penile stem cells, 20 and increased phosphorylated histone 3 (H3P) level. 21 Very recently, we reported that MAP effectively improved vaginal distension induced SUI. 22 We also successfully applied MAP to an OA-SUI rat model and improved the stress incontinence (In manuscript Part I).…”

“…In situ activation of tissue resident satellite cells within the urethral and pelvic floor muscle is an exciting potential therapy for OA‐SUI that avoids these potentially significant negative consequences of exogenous stem cell therapy. Evident demonstrated that mechanical forces direct tissue development, morphogenesis, and regeneration, while low‐intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li‐ESWT), as a mechanical force, activated penile stem cells, and increased phosphorylated histone 3 (H3P) level . Very recently, we reported that MAP effectively improved vaginal distension induced SUI .…”

“…In brief, after application of ultrasound gel (Aquasonic, Parker Laboratories, Inc, Fairfield, NJ), a special probe attached to a compact electromagnetic unit with a unfocused acoustic pulses source (LiteMed Inc, Taipei, Taiwan) was placed in contact with the pelvic region to include the urethra and the pelvic floor muscle in the treatment zone. Based on our previous experiments, we chose acoustic energy of 0.033 mJ/mm 2 , 3 Hz for 500 pulses, two times a week for 2 weeks …”

“…Based on our previous experiments, we chose acoustic energy of 0.033 mJ/mm 2 , 3 Hz for 500 pulses, two times a week for 2 weeks. 21…”

Should Low-intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Be the First-line Erectile Dysfunction Treatment for Nonresponders to Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibition?

“…In an animal model of severe injury to cavernous and pudendal nerves and internal pudendal arteries, LI-ESWT improved intracavernous pressure by enhancing angiogenesis, tissue restoration, and nerve regeneration with activation of Schwann cells and endothelial cells [2]. In an animal model of obesity-associated ED with smooth muscle atrophy, endothelial dysfunction, and lipid accumulation within the corpus cavernosum, LI-ESWT restored penile hemodynamic parameters in obese rats by restoring smooth muscle and endothelium content and reducing lipid accumulation [3]. The mechanism underlying the effect of LI-ESWT appears to be activation of resident stem/progenitor cells, which prompts cellular proliferation and accelerates penile tissue regeneration [4].…”