干细胞治疗阴茎勃起功能障碍的研究进展

阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)是指男性反复或者持续性的难以达到和维持充分的阴茎勃起,无法完成性交或满意性活动的病理现象。海绵体神经(CN)损伤引起的勃起神经反射中断,是患者出现ED的直接原因,此外,CN损伤后,阴茎海绵体组织平滑肌细胞和内皮细胞凋亡增加,海绵体平滑肌纤维数量减少加重了ED的发生。因此,尽早干预CN损伤的病理过程,促进CN再生是治疗CN损伤性ED的关键。近年来,干细胞在ED治疗中的应用日益成为临床研究热点。现对胚胎干细胞(ESC)、间充质干细胞(MSCs)、肌源性干细胞(MDSCs)、脂肪干细胞(ADSCs)在ED治疗中的研究综述如下。

Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction(ED),as a pathological phenomenon,refers to repeated or sustained difficulty to achieve and maintain sufficient penile erection to complete satisfactory sexual intercourse or sexual activity in male.The erectile reflex interruption induced by cavernous nerve(CN) damage is a direct cause of ED.In addition,the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum caused by CN injury,along with the reduction of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle fibers,can increase the incidence of ED.Therefore,early intervention of the pathological process of CN injury and promotion of CN regeneration are essential for the treatment of ED.In recent years,the stem cell therapy for ED has become a focus in clinical research.This article offers an overview on the application of embryonic stem cells,mesenchymal stem cells,muscle-derived stem cells,and adipose stem cells in the treatment of ED.Natl J Androl,2012,18(9): 827-830