title: Adipose-derived stem cells ameliorate erectile dysfunction after cavernous nerve cryoinjury.
abstract: Erectile dysfunction is a common complication following cryotherapy for prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) in improving erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) cryoinjury and the possible mechanisms. Male rats were intracavernous (IC) injected with EdU-labeled ADSC after bilateral CN cryoinjury. Penile tissues were harvested for histology and protein level detection at 1 and 4 weeks after ADSC administration. Erectile function was assessed prior to tissue harvest. We found that erectile function was significantly improved after ADSC treatment via promoting nNOS-positive nerve regeneration and cavernous tissue recovery. The expression of cleaved caspase 3 (an apoptotic marker) reduced after ADSC treatment. Although few EdU-labeled ADSCs were visualized within the penis 4 weeks after administration, plenty of EdU-labeled ADSCs were found around penile dorsal vessels and nerves 1 week after treatment. Furthermore, three neurotrophic factors (NGF, VEGF, and Neurturin) were significantly decreased in Cryo group, and were partially recovered 1 week after ADSC injection. These results suggested that IC injection of ADSC resulted in substantial recoveries of erectile function after CN cryoinjury. The effects may be achieved through the elevated level of neurotrophic factors in penile tissue and subsequent neuroregenerative effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: The first people's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051101:Neurturin / Q000378:metabolism; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D010413:Penis / Q000378:metabolism; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051101:Neurturin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat
keywords: adipose-derived stem cells; cavernous nerve cryoinjury; erectile dysfunction; neuroregeneration