title: [Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction].
abstract: Erectile dysfunction (ED), as a pathological phenomenon, refers to repeated or sustained difficulty to achieve and maintain sufficient penile erection to complete satisfactory sexual intercourse or sexual activity in male. The erectile reflex interruption induced by cavernous nerve (CN) damage is a direct cause of ED. In addition, the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum caused by CN injury, along with the reduction of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle fibers, can increase the incidence of ED. Therefore, early intervention of the pathological process of CN injury and promotion of CN regeneration are essential for the treatment of ED. In recent years, the stem cell therapy for ED has become a focus in clinical research. This article offers an overview on the application of embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, muscle-derived stem cells, and adipose stem cells in the treatment of ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang, Shandong 261042, China.
authors.forename: Mei-Li
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lu-Jie
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hong-Kai
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology