title: Use of nanoparticles to monitor human mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into penile cavernosum of rats with erectile dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to examine the treatment of erectile dysfunction by use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (SPION-MSCs) transplanted into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa of rats as monitored by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each: group 1, sham operation; group 2, cavernous nerve injury; group 3, SPION-MSC treatment after cavernous nerve injury. Immediately after the cavernous nerve injury in group 3, SPION-MSCs were injected into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa. Serial T2-weighted MRI was done immediately after injection and at 2 and 4 weeks. Erectile response was assessed by cavernous nerve stimulation at 2 and 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prussian blue staining of SPION-MSCs revealed abundant uptake of SPION in the cytoplasm. After injection of 1×10(6) SPION-MSCs into the cavernosa of rats, T2-weighted MRI showed a clear hypointense signal induced by the injection. The presence of SPION in the corpora cavernosa was confirmed with Prussian blue staining. At 2 and 4 weeks, rats with cavernous nerve injury had significantly lower erectile function than did rats without cavernous nerve injury (p<0.05). The group transplanted with SPION-MSCs showed higher erectile function than did the group without SPION-MSCs (p<0.05). The presence of SPION-MSCs for up to 4 weeks was confirmed by MRI imaging and Prussian blue staining in the corpus cavernosa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transplanted SPION-MSCs existed for up to 4 weeks in the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa of rats. Erectile dysfunction recovered and could be monitored by MRI.
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jae Heon
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Medical Research Institute, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hong Jun
authors: HJ
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seung Hwan
authors: SH
authors: Doo
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Won Jae
authors: WJ
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Surgery, Hanyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Dongho
authors: D
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jung Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jong Ho
authors: JH
authors: Won
authors: Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yun Seob
authors: YS
authors: Song
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003911:Dextrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D010413:Penis / Q000294:innervation*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D051381:Rats; D013535:Suspensions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D013535:Suspensions; C065507:ferumoxides
keywords: Erectile dysfunction; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation; Nanoparticles