750 CORRECTION OF DIABETIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION WITH ADIPOSE DERIVED STEM CELLS MODIFIED WITH THE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR GENE

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research1 Apr 2011750 CORRECTION OF DIABETIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION WITH ADIPOSE DERIVED STEM CELLS MODIFIED WITH THE VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR GENE XiangZhou Sun, GuiHua Liu, ChunHua Deng, and Yuanyuan Zhang XiangZhou SunXiangZhou Sun Guangzhou, China, People's Republic of More articles by this author , GuiHua LiuGuiHua Liu Winston-Salem, NC More articles by this author , ChunHua DengChunHua Deng Guangzhou, China, People's Republic of More articles by this author , and Yuanyuan ZhangYuanyuan Zhang Winston-Salem, NC More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1775AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Erectile dysfunction (ED) is three times more common in diabetic men than in nondiabetic men. The main pathogenesis in diabetes mellitus related ED (DMED) is endothelial dysfunction. Our previous study demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were abnormal in the penile corpus cavernosum tissue of DMED rats. The aim of this study was to determine whether adipose derived stem cells (ASC) expressing VEGF can be used as a therapeutic approach to repair injured endothelial cells in the penile corpus cavernosum of DMED rats. METHODS ASC were isolated from adipose tissue in the groin area in normal Sprague-Dawley rats, and the cells were cultured and expanded in vitro. Stable expression of VEGF in ASC was established. Diabetes was induced in rats via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40mg/kg), and we utilized apomorphine (100μg/kg) to screen the DMED models for erectile dysfunction. Five groups were used (n=12 rats/ group): Group 1 (G1) animals received a intracavernous injection of lentivirus-VEGF; G2 animals received ASC injected into the corpora cavernosum; G3 animals received an injection of VEGF-expressing ASC; G4 animals received an injection of normal saline as a negative control. These 4 groups consisted of DMED rats, and a fifth group (G5) consisted of normal rats as controls. Erectile function, including intracavernosal pressure and mean systemic arterial pressure, was measured at days 7 and 28 after injection. The penile tissues were harvested and the components of the VEGF system, including VEGF, fetal liver kinase 1(Flk-1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), were assessed in the penile tissue with immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS Up to 95% of the virally-transfected ASC expressed VEGF. On day 7 after injection, the number of ASC increased within the corporal tissue and by day 28, erectile function improved in DMED rats. Improved erectile function was associated with increased expression of VEGF, Flk-1 and eNOS protein. Although ASC implantation or lentivirus-VEGF injection alone each increased erectile function of DMED rats, the degree of improvement was significantly lower than in the group that received VEGF-expressing ASC (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS ASC expressing VEGF produced a therapeutic effect and appeared to restore erectile function in diabetic rats by enhancing VEGF-stimulated cell function via VEGF, Flk-1, and eNOS. This study highlights the potential for clinical use of adult stem cell-based therapy for the treatment of ED. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e301-e302 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information XiangZhou Sun Guangzhou, China, People's Republic of More articles by this author GuiHua Liu Winston-Salem, NC More articles by this author ChunHua Deng Guangzhou, China, People's Republic of More articles by this author Yuanyuan Zhang Winston-Salem, NC More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...