Transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing inducible nitric oxide synthase ameliorates diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) has attracted much attention as a promising tool for the treatment of diabetes mellitus induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays an important role in protecting penile tissues from fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of ADSCs overexpressing iNOS on DMED in rats. Methods: : ADSCs were isolated and infected with adenovirus overexpressing iNOS (named as ADSCs-iNOS). The expression of iNOS was detected using western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Rats were randomly assigned into five groups: control group, DMED group, ADSCs group, ADSCs-EGFP group and ADSCs-iNOS group. 5×10 5 cells were given once via the intracorporal route. Two weeks after treatment, erectile function was assessed by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Penile tissues were obtained and evaluated at histology level. Results: : We found that ADSCs-iNOS had significantly higher expression of iNOS at mRNA and protein levels and generated more nitric oxide. ADSCs-iNOS reduced collagen I and collagen IV expression of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in cell co-culture model. Transforming growth factor-β1 expression and p-Smad2/3 to Smad2/3 ratio in CCSMCs reduced following co-culture with ADSCs-iNOS. Injection of AD

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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