Early Targeting of L-Selectin on Leukocytes Promotes Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury, Implicating Novel Mechanisms of Pathogenesis.

L-selectin, a lectin-like receptor on all leukocyte classes, functions in adhesive and signaling roles in the recruitment of myeloid cells from the blood to sites of inflammation. Here, we consider L-selectin as a determinant of neurological recovery in a murine model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Spinal cord-injured, L-selectin knock-out (KO) mice (male) showed improved long-term recovery with greater white matter sparing relative to wild-type (WT) mice and reduced oxidative stress in the injured cord at 72 h post-SCI.

Early Blockade of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Spinal-Cord-Injured Dogs Results in a Long-Term Increase in Bladder Compliance.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is often accompanied by reduced bladder compliance, which contributes to adverse conditions including urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux. Reduced compliance is, in part, attributed to extensive remodeling of the bladder wall, including the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we tested the hypothesis that blockade of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), known for their ability to remodel the ECM, improves bladder compliance in dogs with SCI.

Transplanted Human Stem Cell-Derived Interneuron Precursors Mitigate Mouse Bladder Dysfunction and Central Neuropathic Pain after Spinal Cord Injury.

Neuropathic pain and bladder dysfunction represent significant quality-of-life issues for many spinal cord injury patients. Loss of GABAergic tone in the injured spinal cord may contribute to the emergence of these symptoms. Previous studies have shown that transplantation of rodent inhibitory interneuron precursors from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) enhances GABAergic signaling in the brain and spinal cord.

Comparison of spinal cord contusion and transection: functional and histological changes in the rat urinary bladder.

Objective: To compare the effect of complete transection (tSCI) and contusion spinal cord injury (cSCI) on bladder function and bladder wall structure in rats.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: an uninjured control, a cSCI and a tSCI group. The cSCI group underwent spinal cord contusion, while the tSCI group underwent complete spinal cord transection.

Efficacy of a metalloproteinase inhibitor in spinal cord injured dogs.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is elevated within the acutely injured murine spinal cord and blockade of this early proteolytic activity with GM6001, a broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, results in improved recovery after spinal cord injury. As matrix metalloproteinase-9 is likewise acutely elevated in dogs with naturally occurring spinal cord injuries, we evaluated efficacy of GM6001 solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide in this second species. Safety and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in naïve dogs.

Tunica albuginea allograft: a new model of LaPeyronie's disease with penile curvature and subtunical ossification.

The pathophysiology of LaPeyronie's disease (PD) is considered to be multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, trauma, inflammation and altered wound healing. However, these factors have not yet been validated using animal models. In this study, we have presented a new model obtained by tunica albuginea allograft.

Effects of intravenous injection of adipose-derived stem cells in a rat model of radiation therapy-induced erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer is frequently associated with posttreatment erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim: To investigate whether injection of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can ameliorate RT-associated ED.

Methods: Thirty male rats were divided into three groups.

Both immediate and delayed intracavernous injection of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction enhances recovery of erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

Background: Intracavernous injection of cultured adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) effectively restores erectile function in cavernous nerve (CN)-injured rats when administered at the time of injury. However, culturing exposes ADSCs to the risk of contamination and dedifferentiation.

Objective: Explore the effect of uncultured autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on improving erectile function in a rat model of CN injury when administered at the time of injury or 4 wk after injury.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and stromal cell-derived factor-1 act synergistically to support migration of blood-borne monocytes into the injured spinal cord.

The infiltration of monocytes into the lesioned site is a key event in the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized that the molecular events governing the infiltration of monocytes into the injured cord involve cooperativity between the upregulation of the chemoattractant stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCL12 in the injured cord and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9/gelatinase B), expressed by infiltrating monocytes. SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 mRNAs were upregulated in the injured cord, while macrophages immunoexpressed CXCR4.

Effects of prolonged vaginal distension and β-aminopropionitrile on urinary continence and urethral structure.

Objective: To investigate the effects of prolonged vaginal distension and β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) on the urinary patterns and urethral structure in female virgin rats.

Methods: A total of 21 female virgin rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 7 rats each. The control group received no intervention; the vaginal distension (VD) group was treated with prolonged VD by balloon inflation; and the VD plus BAPN group was treated with VD plus intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of BAPN every 3 days.

Cavernous smooth muscle hyperplasia in a rat model of hyperlipidaemia-associated erectile dysfunction.

Unlabelled: What's known on the subject? and what does the study add? Increased cavernous smooth muscle content has been repeatedly observed in rat models of hyperlipidaemia - associated erectile dysfunction. This study shows that the increased smooth muscle content is due to hyperplasia.

Objective: • To investigate the structural changes, including possible smooth muscle hyperplasia, in the penis of a hyperlipidaemia-associated erectile dysfunction (ED) animal model.

Improved penile histology by phalloidin stain: circular and longitudinal cavernous smooth muscles, dual-endothelium arteries, and erectile dysfunction-associated changes.

Objective: To investigate whether fluorochrome-conjugated phalloidin can delineate cavernous smooth muscle (CSM) cells and whether it can be combined with immunofluorescence (IF) staining to quantify erectile dysfunction (ED)-associated changes.

Methods: ED was induced by cavernous nerve crush in rats. Penile tissues of control and ED rats were stained with Alexa-488-conjugated phalloidin and/or with antibodies against rat endothelial cell antigen (RECA), CD31, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and collagen-IV (Col-IV).

Recruitment of intracavernously injected adipose-derived stem cells to the major pelvic ganglion improves erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

Background: Intracavernous (IC) injection of stem cells has been shown to ameliorate cavernous-nerve (CN) injury-induced erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the mechanisms of action of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) remain unclear.

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of action and fate of IC injected ADSC in a rat model of CN crush injury.

Tracking intracavernously injected adipose-derived stem cells to bone marrow.

The intracavernous (i.c.) injection of stem cells (SCs) has been shown to improve erectile function in various erectile dysfunction (ED) animal models.

The effect of adipose-derived stem cells on augmentation ileocystoplasty: A pilot study.

Objectives: Incorporation of intestinal tissue into urinary tract elicits many metabolic and mechanical complications due to anatomical and physiological differences. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) improve vascularity and functional outcomes by a paracrine mechanism. In a pilot study we investigated whether ADSCs can survive in the augmented bladder and improve its function.

Functional, metabolic, and morphologic characteristics of a novel rat model of type 2 diabetes-associated erectile dysfunction.

Objectives: To conduct a pilot study to investigate functional, metabolic, and penile morphologic changes in a novel model of lean DM2. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent sequela in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2).

Methods: Eight rats received a high-fat diet and 2 weeks later, 2 intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg).

Cavernous nerve repair with allogenic adipose matrix and autologous adipose-derived stem cells.

Objectives: To investigate whether adipose-derived matrix seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) can facilitate the repair of injured cavernous nerves (CNs).

Methods: Human and rat adipose tissues were decellularized and fabricated into various forms, including adipose tissue-derived acellular matrix thread (ADMT). ADMT seeded with ADSC were transplanted into subcutaneous space and examined for signs of inflammation.

Modulation of smooth muscle tonus in the lower urinary tract: interplay of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and MLC phosphatase (MLCP).

Objective: To assess and compare the expression and activity of myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and MLC phosphatase (MLCP) in rat bladder and urethra.

Materials And Methods: Bladder and urethral smooth muscles were obtained from 2-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. They were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the mRNA expression of MLCK and myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit of protein phosphatase type 1 (MYPT1, a subunit of MLCP).

Pentoxifylline promotes recovery of erectile function in a rat model of postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

Background: Cavernous nerve (CN) injury during radical prostatectomy (RP) causes CN degeneration and secondary penile fibrosis and smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that further inhibits multiple cytokine pathways involved in nerve degeneration, apoptosis, and fibrosis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether PTX enhances erectile function in a rat model of CN injury.

Intraoperative peripheral frozen sections do not significantly affect prognosis after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Objective: • To determine the value of systematic intraoperative peripheral frozen sections (FS) with or without extended resection during nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) compared with inked surgical margins.

Patients And Methods: • Between 1999 and 2003, in a prospective study, multiple peripheral FS (median 14; range 5-20) were taken from the urethral stump, circumferentially from the bladder neck, and from the lateral pedicles in 200 consecutive bilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomies for clinically localized prostate cancer by a single surgeon. • Patients with stage pT3b or more and/or positive lymph nodes were excluded.

Injections of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and stem cell lysate improve recovery of erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) remains a major complication after radical prostatectomy. The use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) has shown promising results for the treatment of ED. However, the mechanisms of action for stem cell therapy remain controversial, with increasing evidence pointing to paracrine pathways.

The effect of intracavernous injection of adipose tissue-derived stem cells on hyperlipidemia-associated erectile dysfunction in a rat model.

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia has been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) via damage to the cavernous endothelium and nerves. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) have been shown to differentiate into endothelial cells and secrete vasculotrophic and neurotrophic factors.

Aim: To assess whether ADSC have therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia-associated ED.

Erectogenic and neurotrophic effects of icariin, a purified extract of horny goat weed (Epimedium spp.) in vitro and in vivo.

Introduction: Epimedium species (aka horny goat weed) have been utilized for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Traditional Chinese Medicine for many years. Icariin (ICA) is the active moiety of Epimedium species.

Aim: To evaluate the penile hemodynamic and tissue effects of ICA in cavernous nerve injured rats.

Treatment of erectile dysfunction in the obese type 2 diabetic ZDF rat with adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major complication of type 2 diabetes, and many diabetic men with ED are refractory to common ED therapies.

Aim: To determine whether autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) injected into the penis of impotent type 2 diabetic rats improve erectile function.

Main Outcome Measures: Blood glucose levels, intracavernous pressure (ICP) increase upon cavernous nerve (CN) electrostimulation, and immunohistochemistry.