Stem cell in urology-are we at the cusp of a new era?

Comparative study of different transplantation methods of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in the treatment of erectile dysfunction caused by cavernous nerve injury

We aimed to compare intracavernosal injection (ICI), tail vein injection (IV), and periprostatic injection (PPI) of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for their ability to improve erectile function in cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction (CNIED) rats and to explore the possible mechanism. Eighty-four male SD rats were divided into the sham group (n = 6), BCNI group (bilateral CN crush injury, n = 6), PBS-ICI group (n = 6), PBS-IV group (n = 6), PBS-PPI group (n = 6), ADSC-ICI group (n = 18), ADSC-IV group (n = 18) and ADSC-PPI group (n = 18). ADSCs were labelled with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), and six rats each in the ADSC-ICI group, ADSC-IV group, and ADSC-PPI group were sacrificed 2, 7, and 28 days after injection. EdU-labelled ADSCs were tracked by immunofluorescence staining. The intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive nerve fibres in the dorsal penile nerve and the smooth muscle/collagen ratio in the cavernosum between groups were also evaluated. ADSCs can significantly improve erectile function through ICI or IV. The two are similar in efficacy and superior to PPI. The mechanism may be that after CN injury, ADSCs are recruited to around the MPG and secrete a variety of neurotrophic factors that promote the repair of the CN, thereby improving erectile function.

Stem Cell Therapy for Neurogenic Bladder After Spinal Cord Injury: Clinically Possible?

Neurogenic bladder (NB) after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common complication that inhibits normal daily activities and reduces the quality of life. Regrettably, the current therapeutic methods for NB are inadequate. Therefore, numerous studies have been conducted to develop new treatments for NB associated with SCI. Moreover, a myriad of preclinical and clinical trials on the effects and safety of stem cell therapy in patients with SCI have been performed, and several studies have demonstrated improvements in urodynamic parameters, as well as in sensory and motor function, after stem cell therapy. These results are promising; however, further high-quality clinical studies are necessary to compensate for a lack of randomized trials, the modest number of participants, variation in the types of stem cells used, and inconsistency in routes of administration.