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Wang Y, Jiang R. Androgens and erectile dysfunction: from androgen deficiency to treatment. Sex Med Rev 2024; 12:458-468. [PMID: 38719619 DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Androgens play important roles in regulating the growth and development of the male reproductive system and maintaining libido and erectile function. The specific mechanisms by which androgen deficiency leads to erectile dysfunction (ED) are not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVES To understand the mechanisms and treatment of androgen deficiency-related ED. METHODS A literature search in the past 10 years was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar to determine the effects of androgen deficiency on erectile function and the treatment of androgen deficiency. RESULTS Androgen deficiency can be caused by hypothalamic-pituitary lesions and injuries, testicular-related diseases and injuries, endocrine and metabolic disorders, the side effects of medication, and age. Androgen deficiency can lead to ED by inhibiting the NOS/NO/cGMP pathway (nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate) and altering the expression of ion channel proteins, as well as by inducing oxidative stress, death, and fibrosis in penile corpus cavernosum cells. Testosterone replacement therapy is effective at improving the serum testosterone levels and erectile function in patients with androgen deficiency. For patients who need to maintain a low androgenic state, erectile function can be improved by lifestyle changes, treatment with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and stem cell therapy. CONCLUSIONS Androgen deficiency can affect the structure and function of the penile corpus cavernosum, leading to ED. Areas of further study include how androgen replacement therapy can improve erectile function and how to improve the maintenance of erectile function in patients with hypoandrogenic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
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Fu Q, Song L, Li J, Yi B, Huang Y, Zhang Z, Xin Z, Zhu J. Biodegradable nano black phosphorus based SDF1-α delivery system ameliorates Erectile Dysfunction in a cavernous nerve injury rat model by recruiting endogenous stem/progenitor cells. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:487. [PMID: 38105187 PMCID: PMC10726595 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell (SC) therapy has been shown high prospects in erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. Without ethical issues and risks of immune rejection and tumorigenesis of exogenous SC therapy, endogenous stem/progenitor cells (S/PCs) have a better potential for ED management, and their homing and redistribution are controlled by SDF1-α/CXCR4 axis. Considering black phosphorus nanosheet (BPNS) has emerged as an efficient and safe drug vehicle due to its large surface area, biodegradability, and the ability to retain and slowly release its loaded drugs, BPNS is utilized to load SDF1-α, a chemokine for S/PCs, to construct the BP@SDF1-α complex to efficiently recruit stem cells (SCs) by injury-site injection and thus ameliorate ED within the bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) rat models. We find that BP@SDF1-α can efficiently recruit exogenous SCs and endogenous S/PCs to corpus cavernosum and main pelvic ganglion (MPG) by local administration. Of note, ascribing to endogenous S/PCs recruitment, it also successfully alleviates ED in BCNI rat models by enhancing the protein expression levels of α-SMA, CD31, and nNOs, and eliciting less collagen deposition in the penis after its combined injection at corpus cavernosum and MPG. Thus, this study provides a new insight into the treatment of ED with endogenous S/PCs. BIODEGRADABLE NANO BLACK PHOSPHORUS BASED SDF1-α DELIVERY SYSTEM AMELIORATES ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN A CAVERNOUS NERVE INJURY RAT MODEL BY RECRUITING ENDOGENOUS STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Fu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Lujie Song
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jitao Li
- Department of Urology, Anqiu People's Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, 262100, China
| | - Bocun Yi
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Yue Huang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Zhihong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Zhongcheng Xin
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300211, China.
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Kim JH, Yang HJ, Park S, Lee HJ, Song YS. Differential Gene Expression in the Penile Cavernosum of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Int Neurourol J 2023; 27:234-242. [PMID: 38171323 PMCID: PMC10762368 DOI: 10.5213/inj.2346074.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Men with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present with severe erectile dysfunction (ED). This ED is less responsive to current pharmacological therapies. If we know the upregulated or downregulated genes of diabetic ED, we can inhibit or enhance the expression of such genes through RNA or gene overexpression. METHODS To investigate gene changes associated with ED in type 1 DM, we examined the alterations of gene expression in the cavernosum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Specifically, we considered 11,636 genes (9,623 upregulated and 2,013 downregulated) to be differentially expressed in the diabetic rat cavernosum group (n=4) compared to the control group (n=4). The analysis of differentially expressed genes using the gene ontology (GO) classification indicated that the following were enriched: downregulated genes such as cell cycle, extracellular matrix, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthesis and upregulated genes such as calcium signaling, neurotrophin signaling, apoptosis, arginine and proline metabolism, gap junction, transforming growth factor-β signaling, tight junction, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling. We examined a more than 2-fold upregulated or downregulated change in expression, using real time polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of differentially expressed genes, using the GO classification, indicated the enrichment. RESULTS Of the 41,105 genes initially considered, statistical filtering of the array analysis showed 9,623 upregulated genes and 2,013 downregulated genes with at least 2-fold changes in expression (P<0.05). With Bonferroni correction, SLC2A9 (solute carrier family 2 member 9), LRRC20 (leucine rick repeat containing 20), PLK1 (polo like kinase 1), and AATK (apoptosis-associated tyrosine kinase) were all 2-fold changed genes. CONCLUSION This study broadens the scope of candidate genes that may be relevant to the pathophysiology of diabetic ED. In particular, their enhancement or inhibition could represent a novel treatment for diabetic ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Heon Kim
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Jo Yang
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Suyeon Park
- Department of Biostatistics, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong Jun Lee
- College of Medicine and Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea
- Research Institute, e-biogen Inc., Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun Seob Song
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Bak SH, Kim JH, Kim SU, Lee DS, Song YS, Lee HJ. Established Immortalized Cavernous Endothelial Cells Improve Erectile Dysfunction in Rats with Cavernous Nerve Injury. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010123. [PMID: 36678621 PMCID: PMC9866507 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The main cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) is the damage in penile cavernous endothelial cells (EC). Murine primary ECs have a limited growth potential, and the easy availability of murine ECs will facilitate the study of cavernous endothelial dysfunction in rats. This study was performed to establish immortalized rat penile cavernous ECs (rEC) and investigate how they could repair erectile dysfunction in rats with cavernous nerve injury (CNI). rEC was isolated enzymatically by collagenase digestion and were cultured. An amphotropic replication-incompetent retroviral vector encoding v-myc oncogene was used to transfect rEC for immortalization (vREC). Morphological and immunohistochemical properties of vREC were examined. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of five rats each, including group 1 = sham operation, group 2 = bilateral CN injury, group 3 = vREC (1 × 106 cells) treatment after CNI. Erectile response was assessed at 2, 4 weeks after transplantation of vREC., Penile tissue were harvested at 4 weeks after transplantation and immune−histochemical examination was performed. vREC showed the expression of CD31, vWF, cell type-specific markers for EC by RT-PCR and flowcytometry. At 2, 4 weeks after transplantation, rats with CNI had significantly lower erectile function than control group (p < 0.05). The group transplanted with vREC showed higher erectile function than the group without vRECs (p < 0.05). vREC was established and repaired erectile dysfunction in rats with CNI. This cell line may be useful for studying mechanisms and drug screening of erectile dysfunction of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hong Bak
- Research Institute, Humetacell Inc., Bucheon 14786, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Heon Kim
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul 04401, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung U. Kim
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, UBC Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Dong-Seok Lee
- BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Seob Song
- Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Seoul 04401, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.S.S.); or (H.J.L.); Tel.: +82-2-709-9114 (Y.S.S.)
| | - Hong J. Lee
- Research Institute, Humetacell Inc., Bucheon 14786, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
- Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (Y.S.S.); or (H.J.L.); Tel.: +82-2-709-9114 (Y.S.S.)
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Role of the Intermediate Filament Protein Peripherin in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315416. [PMID: 36499746 PMCID: PMC9740141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intermediate filaments are the most heterogeneous class among cytoskeletal elements. While some of them have been well-characterized, little is known about peripherin. Peripherin is a class III intermediate filament protein with a specific expression in the peripheral nervous system. Epigenetic modifications are involved in this cell-type-specific expression. Peripherin has important roles in neurite outgrowth and stability, axonal transport, and axonal myelination. Moreover, peripherin interacts with proteins involved in vesicular trafficking, signal transduction, DNA/RNA processing, protein folding, and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting a role in all these processes. This review collects information regarding peripherin gene regulation, post-translational modifications, and functions and its involvement in the onset of a number of diseases.
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Kim JH, Bak SH, Yang HJ, Doo SW, Kim DK, Yang WJ, Kim SU, Lee HJ, Song YS. Improvement of erectile dysfunction using endothelial progenitor cells from fetal cerebral vasculature in the cavernous nerve injury of rats. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:21. [PMID: 36451096 PMCID: PMC9714194 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00171-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because of limited differentiation to endothelium from mesenchymal stem cells, it has been strongly recommended to use endothelial progenitor cells for the regeneration of the damaged endothelium of corpora cavernosa. This study was performed to investigate the immortalized human cerebral endothelial cells and their capability for repairing erectile dysfunction in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells were isolated from human fetal brain vasculature at the periventricular region of telencephalic tissues. Over 95% of CD 31-positive cells were sorted and cultured for 10 days. Human cerebral endothelial progenitor cells were injected into the cavernosa of rats with cavernous nerve injury. Erectile response was then assessed. In in vivo assays, rats were divided into three groups: group 1, sham operation: group 2, bilateral cavernous nerve injury: and group 3, treatment with human cerebral endothelial cells after cavernous nerve injury. RESULTS Established immortalized circulating endothelial progenitor cells showed expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase transcript by RT-PCR. They also showed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and CD31, cell type-specific markers for endothelial cells by RT-PCR. In in vitro angiogenesis assays, they demonstrated tube formation that suggested morphological properties of endothelial progenitor cells. In in vivo assays, impaired erectile function of rat with cavernous nerve injury recovered at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after transplantation of human cerebral endothelial cells into the cavernosa. CONCLUSIONS Telomerase reverse transcriptase-circulating endothelial progenitor cells from fetal brain vasculature could repair erectile dysfunction of rats with cavernous nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Heon Kim
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, 04401 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hong Bak
- Research Institute, e-Biogen Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jo Yang
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Whan Doo
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, 04401 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Kyung Kim
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, 04401 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Jae Yang
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, 04401 Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung U. Kim
- grid.416957.80000 0004 0633 8774Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, UBC Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hong J. Lee
- Research Institute, e-Biogen Inc., Seoul, Republic of Korea ,grid.254229.a0000 0000 9611 0917Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Seob Song
- grid.412674.20000 0004 1773 6524Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University School of Medicine, 04401 Seoul, Republic of Korea
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