title: Effect of mesenchymal stem cells associated to matrixen on the erectile function in the rat model with bilateral cavernous nerve crushing injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSCs mixed with Matrixen as a cell carrier on the erectile dysfunction caused by bilateral cavernous nerve crushing injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  White male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham-operated control group (n = 5), bilateral cavernous nerve crushing group (BCNC group, n = 10), BCNC administered with MSCs group (n = 10,1x106 in 20 µL), BCNC administered with Matrixen group (n = 10.1x106 in 20 µL), BCNC administered with MSCs/Matrixen group (n = 10.1x106 in 20 µL). After functional assessment at 4 weeks, major pelvic ganglion (MPG) and penile tissue were collected. Immunofluorescent staining of MPG was performed with PKH26 and Tuj1. Western blot analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were done in corpus cavernosum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ICP/MAP ratios of BCNC with MSCs and MSCs/Matrixen groups were significantly increased compared with BCNC and BCNC with Matrixen group. Moreover, ICP/MAP ratios of MSCs/Matrixen group were significantly increased compared with BCNC with MSCs group. In MPG, the more implantation of MSCs and increased expression of nerve cells were observed in MSCs/Matrixen group compared with BCNC with MSCs group. Significant increase expression of eNOS and nNOS was also noted in BCNC with MSCs/Matrixen group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The erectile function was more preserved in MSCs/Matrixen group compared with the administration of MSCs alone in the rats with bilateral cavernous nerve crushing injury. Therefore, we consider that the use of transplant cell carrier such as Matrixen may help the implantation of MSCs and improve the therapeutic effect of MSCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Pohang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Sae Woong
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D023421:Models, Animal; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000032:analysis; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000032:analysis; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496321:Nos1 protein, mouse; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat