摘要
Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)secrete various cytokines with angiogenic and neuroprotective effects.This study aimed to assess the effects of human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs(hWJ-MSCs)on diabetes-related intracavernosal pressure(ICP)impairment in rats.hWJ-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly and transplanted into the corpus cavernosum of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats by unilateral injection.The erectile function was evaluated at 4 weeks,as well as the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF1).STZ-induced diabetic rats showed impaired ICP,which was significantly improved by hWJ-MSC treatment.VEGF,eNOS,IGF1,and bFGF expression levels were higher in hWJ-MSC injection sites than those in control ones in STZ-induced diabetic rats.These results suggest that hWJ-MSC transplantation might improve diabetic erectile dysfunction through increased production of paracrine growth factors,highlighting a novel potential therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction.
基金
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81400683).