The effect of neural embryonic stem cell therapy in a rat model of cavernosal nerve injury

Abstract

into the major pelvic ganglion (MPG); and nine had bilateral cavernosal nerve crush and injection of NES cells into the corpora cavernosa. Erectile response was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months, and penile tissue samples were evaluated histochemically for nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing fibres, tyrosine hydroxylase and neurofilament staining. RESULTSThe groups injected with NES cells into the MPG and corpora cavernosa had significantly higher intracavernosal pressures than the control group. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed differences in the quality of the NOS-containing nerve fibres. Neurofilament staining was significantly better in the experimental groups injected with NES cells. CONCLUSIONWe were able to isolate embryonic stem cells that had differentiated along the neural cell line and, using these NES cells intracavernosally, showed improved erectile function in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.

Effect of muscle‐derived stem cells on the restoration of corpora cavernosa smooth muscle and erectile function in the aged rat

“…The multipotency of the MDSCs could therefore be an asset in certain ED conditions where not only SMCs are lost, but there is nerve damage, such as in rat models of ED in diabetes [10] and after radical prostatectomy [7,9,[13][14][15][16]. In the latter case, both embryonic stem cells and MDSCs themselves have shown initial promise [20,23].…”

“…To date, only a few studies of stem cell implantation in experimental models of ED, to repair either nerves or smooth muscle in the corpora, have been conducted [20][21][22][23], although stem cells are also being investigated for the repair of other urogenital organs, such as the bladder, urethra, and kidney [24][25][26][27]. The first study in the penis [20] was based on the injection of rat embryonic stem cells modified ex vivo to express brain-derived nerve growth factor into the corpora cavernosa in a rat model of cavernosal nerve damage. Although there was an improvement in erectile function and neurofilament staining even at 3 months after injection of the stem cells, no surviving stem cells were found nor were any SMC markers investigated, as the primary objective of that study was to achieve nerve regeneration.…”

Herpes simplex virus vector-mediated delivery of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor rescues erectile dysfunction following cavernous nerve injury

“…Even with nerve-sparing surgery, it takes many months to recover erectile function. 2,3 Several attempts to improve cavernous nerve function after injury in a variety of animal models have recently been reported, including nerve grafting, 4 nerve reconstruction, 5 pharmacological neuromodulation using immunophilins, 6,7 embryonic stem cell injection, 8 inhibition of neuronal inflammation or neuronal cell death using poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase 9 and gene delivery of neurotrophic factors. 10,11 Among these, application of neurotrophic factors to injured nerves presents an ideal option to prevent injury and/or facilitate nerve regeneration.…”

Stem cells: novel players in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

“…In 2004, ESCs transfected with BDNF that had differentiated along a neuronal cell line were injected into the corpus cavernosum and found to improve cavernous nerve regeneration and functional erectile status after bilateral crush injury in the rat. 139 Stem cells may present a cellular substrate at the lesion site to support axonal extension. In addition, stem cells may not require a prolonged presence to function; their mechanism of action may be through growth factor expression (BDNF, NGF and neurotrophin-3), 140 inhibition of demyelination and as an initial lattice of cellular substrate.…”