Current ED treatments such as oral medications, vacuum devices and penile injections only provide a palliative or symptomatic effect. Stem cells have the potential to stimulate restoration of the penile tissue and blood vessels.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and sustain an erection during sexual intercourse. Several studies have shown that stem cell therapy can treat this condition.
Stem Cells
In a phase I study of 21 patients who had suffered from erectile dysfunction due to surgery for prostate cancer, Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction were injected into the corpus cavernosum portion of the penis. This spongy tissue is the part of the penis that becomes filled with blood during erections. The study found that all 21 men saw their erectile function improve after the stem cell procedure.
The cellular population used in the treatment is called mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are a pluripotent adult stem cell population that is able to self-renew and differentiate into multiple types of cells.
Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells can help regenerate erectile tissue by secreting growth factors and improving the endothelium, muscle and nerves in the penis. Studies have also shown that combining mesenchymal stem cell treatment with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and Acoustic Wave Therapy (AWT) can enhance the effect of the stem cells on the penis.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for erectile dysfunction, as it has both a preventive and a long-term therapeutic effect. This is because the stem cells secrete growth factors and cytokines which stimulate restoration of the penile tissues as well as the blood vessels and nerves in that area.
Several clinical trials have shown that stem cells can improve erectile function in men with ED. However, the studies have differed in terms of stem cell type and preparation, dosage, and concomitant therapies. This has made it difficult to standardize the results.
In one study, Dr. Haahr used stem cells to treat 21 men with ED after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. He found that the treatment helped eight of the patients to regain their ability to have a spontaneous erection. He also reported that the IIEF scores of these men improved from 7 to 14. The men did not need any medications or implants in order to regain their erections. Platelet rich plasma, which is made by separating the platelets from the blood, has been shown to stimulate muscle, bone, and tendon cells to proliferate. This is due to the fact that the platelets release many different growth factors that can repair and heal damaged tissue.
Shock Wave Therapy
The treatment involves injecting adipose-derived stem cells into the corpus cavernosum, a spongy tissue that fills with blood during an erection. This has been shown to improve sexual function in some patients, but more research is needed.
One study found that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) could treat ED by secreting a series of chemicals that promote penile blood flow. These chemicals include vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Another study used photoacoustic imaging to guide injection of MSC into the corpus cavernosum. This technique enabled the researchers to track cell movement and determine if the treatment was working. The researchers found that the injected cells moved toward the center of the blood vessels in the erectile tissue.
Several clinical studies have reported improvements in erectile dysfunction as measured by hemodynamic parameters and self-perceived sexual function after stem cell therapy. However, the results from these trials have been difficult to standardize. Larger, multicenter human studies using MSC of different types and preparations are required to establish conclusive conclusions.
Acoustic Wave Therapy
Erectile dysfunction can be improved with shockwave therapy and stem cell treatment. However, further research needs to be conducted to understand the deeper mechanisms of action and to test other modalities that may work together with these treatments to produce more significant clinical results.
Various preclinical studies have shown that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) can differentiate into endothelial and neural cells, replace the damaged tissue of penile structures, and recover erectile function in CNI and non-CNI ED rat models. The therapeutic effect is likely derived from secreted growth factors and cytokines.
The intracavernosal injection of ADSC has a long-term therapeutic, but not a palliative effect on ED caused by nerve injury. The IIEF score improved from 6 to 14 following the INSTIN clinical trial, which is an improvement over the average score of 6 that most men with ED have before treatment. This is enough to allow for penetrative sex. It also prevents the progression of erectile dysfunction into a more serious condition.
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