Transplantation of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells into the Corpus Cavernosum Restores Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Cavernous Nerve Injury

Abstract

PurposeMuscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) harvested from skeletal muscles have the advantage of providing easier access and do not pose the immunogenic risks of embryonic stem cells. We investigated the effect of intracavernosal transplantation of MDSCs on erectile function in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury.Materials and MethodsAdult male white rats underwent experimentation in 3 groups: group I, sham operation; group II, bilateral cavernous nerve injury; group III, bilateral cavernous nerve injury with MDSC injection. MDSCs were harvested from the femoral muscle of rats and were then injected into the cavernosum. Survival of MDSCs and measurement of erectile function was studied after 4 weeks. We checked the intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and obtained penile tissue. The expression of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was analyzed.ResultsFour weeks after transplantation, PKH-26-labeled MDSCs were identified in the cavernosal tissues of group III. Peak ICP and the drop rate of group II were 52±8.7 mmHg and 34±6.5 mmHg/min, respectively, whereas peak ICP and the drop rate of group III were 97±15.6 mmHg and 17±4.9 mmHg/min, respectively, showing that erectile function improved after MDSC transplantation (p<0.05). The expression of cGMP was significantly lower in group II (21.9±5.8 fmol/well) than in group I and group III (70.2±10.3 and 58.9±10.5 fmol/well, respectively).ConclusionsIn a cavernous nerve injury rat model, intracavernosal transplantation of MDSCs showed acceptable survival of MDSCs as well as improvement of erectile function.

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells exert therapeutic effect in a rat model of cavernous nerves injury

“…Various stem cells, such as adipose tissue‐derived stem cells, bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, muscle‐derived stem cells, urine‐derived stem cells, have been proved to effectively improve the cavernous nerve (CN) injury‐induced erectile dysfunction (Woo et al ., ; Jeon et al ., ; Martinez‐Salamanca et al ., ; Yang et al ., ). The underlying mechanisms are not still clear now.…”

Separate or Combined Treatments with Daily Sildenafil, Molsidomine, or Muscle‐Derived Stem Cells Prevent Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Cavernosal Nerve Damage

“…The fast recovery of the EFS to about 60 mm Hg at 2 weeks after MDSC (pP6 fraction in the preplating procedure), and the subsequent decay of this response at 4 weeks is difficult to reconcile with a successful BCNT that initially should interrupt completely nitrergic neurotransmission and hence the EFS response, so this may need reassessment. A clarification regarding the nature of the MDSC that in a recent short communication normalized the drop rate and stimulated the papaverine response 4 weeks after BCNR is also required, since here the pP4 fraction was employed, a fraction enriched in satellite cells but not MDSC [30]. Satellite cells are committed to skeletal myofiber formation and are not strictly stem cells.…”

Effects of Intravenous Injection of Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Radiation Therapy‐Induced Erectile Dysfunction

“…As such, there is a need to identify alternative treatments for patients who cannot be effectively treated with PDE5Is. Previously, we and others have demonstrated in animal models that RP-associated ED could be effectively treated with various types of stem cells (SCs) [7][8][9][10][11]. Specifically, after the induction of ED via CN transection or crush injury, intracavernous (IC) injection of SCs significantly improved erectile function when compared with saline-treated controls.…”