Intratunical injection of stromal vascular fraction prevents fibrosis in a rat model of Peyronie's disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether local injection of autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can prevent the development of fibrosis and elastosis in the tunica albuginea (TA) using a rat model of the acute phase of Peyronie's disease (PD). Methods A total of 24 male 12‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups: sham; PD without treatment (transforming growth factor‐β [TGF ‐β]); and PD treated with SVF 1 day after disease induction. Sham rats received two injections of vehicle into the TA 1 day apart. TGF ‐β rats received TGF‐ β1 injection and injection of vehicle 1 day later. SVF rats received TGF‐β1 injection, followed by SVF 1 day later. One month after treatment, all rats underwent measurement of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure during electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. The rats were then killed and penises were harvested for histology and Western blot analysis. Results Erectile function was moderately reduced in the TGF‐β group and was significantly improved after SVF treatment (P < 0.05). PD rats developed areas of fibrosis with a significant upregulation of collagen III, collagen I and elastin protein expression. These fibrotic changes were prevented when treated with SVF. Conclusions Local injection of SVF may represent treatment for the acute phase of PD.

Intratunical injection of autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction reduces collagen III expression in a rat model of chronic penile fibrosis

“…In two of our previous studies, we showed that in the acute PD phase, local injection of human ADSC (hADSC) or SVF prevents the collagen III and Elastin TA accumulation [18,20]. In these studies, we injected the hADSC or autologous SVF 1 day after the TGF-β1 treatment aiming to mimic the early phase of the disease [18,20]. Our results were in line with the two preclinical studies performed by Gokce et al [36,37].…”

“…To date, 5 preclinical studies [18,20,[35][36][37], using the TGF-β1 PD rat model, have evaluated the efficacy of locally TA ADSC injection. In two of our previous studies, we showed that in the acute PD phase, local injection of human ADSC (hADSC) or SVF prevents the collagen III and Elastin TA accumulation [18,20]. In these studies, we injected the hADSC or autologous SVF 1 day after the TGF-β1 treatment aiming to mimic the early phase of the disease [18,20].…”

“…In our recent study we showed that SVF are able to prevent TA fibrosis formation in a rat model of early phase of PD [18]. In the current study, we investigated the antifibrotic effects of a local injection of SVF after establishment of TA fibrosis in a validated rat PD model.…”

European Society for Sexual Medicine Consensus Statement on the Use of the Cavernous Nerve Injury Rodent Model to Study Postradical Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction

“… 36 Few articles in the sexual medicine field have reported the use of the ARRIVE checklist. 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 This concept is very important because similar to humans, several mammals display —in aging or because of various diseases—signs of ED and alterations of important regulatory pathways of erection. 24 The lack of crucial information can prevent the correct evaluation of the final results obtained.…”

Evolving therapies for Peyronie’s disease: how can we work towards new drugs?

“…Moreover, there was a reduction in phosphorylation and activity of Smad2, RhoA, ROCK1/2 and an upregulation of MMPs and caspases in the co-culture compared to the MFB-only set-up. Interestingly, injection of ADSCs, their lysate or stromal vascular fraction in a TGF-β1-based rat model of PD has proven to be an effective method of fibrosis alleviation in many in vivo studies (76)(77)(78)(79)(80). Even though there are some studies that have investigated the use of MSCs in PD in preclinical in vivo studies, their precise mechanism of action was not investigated, despite managing to show an antifibrotic effect on PD plaque and restoration of erectile function (76,77).…”