Nerve growth factor combined with vascular endothelial growth factor enhances regeneration of bladder acellular matrix graft in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic rat bladder.

Objective: To determine the combined effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on regeneration of the bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG) in spinal cord injury (SCI)-mediated neurogenic bladder in rats.

Materials And Methods: In all, 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. At 8 weeks after spinalization surgery (neurogenic bladder), they were divided into five groups consisting of untreated controls and those whose bladders were injected with either no growth factor, NGF (2 microg/rat), VEGF (2 microg/rat) or both at partial BAMG replacement surgery.

Effect of extended-term estrogen on voiding in a postpartum ovariectomized rat model.

Introduction: We tested the hypothesis that extended-term (5-week) estrogen therapy would negatively impact voiding function in a postpartum, ovariectomized rat model.

Methods: Immediately after delivery, 30 primiparous Sprague-Dawley rats underwent intravaginal balloon dilation, followed by ovariectomy 1 week later. Cystometry at postpartum week 2 determined normal or abnormal voiding patterns.

An animal model to study lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction: the hyperlipidaemic rat.

Objective: To present evidence that rats fed a high-fat diet could serve as a useful animal model to study both lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), as recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong association between LUTS and ED but the physiological basis behind this relationship is unknown.

Materials And Methods: In all, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: nine controls were fed a 'normal' diet and 15 were fed a high-fat diet (hyperlipidaemic rats). After 6 months all the rats had bladder and erectile functions evaluated using awake cystometry and cavernosal nerve electrostimulation, respectively.

Functional improvement in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder by bladder augmentation using bladder acellular matrix graft in the rat.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) rostral to the lumbosacral level causes bladder hyperreflexia and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), which are accompanied by bladder hypertrophy. We hypothesize that bladder augmentation using a bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG) can improve the function of SCI-mediated neurogenic bladder. In female rats (n = 35), SCI was induced by transection of the spinal cord at the lower thoracic level.

The effect of FK1706 on erectile function following bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury in a rat model.

Purpose: We investigated the neurotrophic effect of FK1706 on erectile recovery following bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury in a rat model.

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Seven animals underwent sham operation and subcutaneous vehicle injection, whereas 21 underwent bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury followed by vehicle injection alone, or by low (0.

The effect of intracavernosal growth differentiation factor-5 therapy in a rat model of cavernosal nerve injury.

Objective: To determine whether the intracavernosal application of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) influences nerve regeneration and erectile function after cavernosal nerve injury in a rat model.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: eight had a sham operation (uninjured controls), while 24 had bilateral cavernosal nerve crush. The crush-injury groups were treated at the time of injury with an impregnated collagen sponge implanted into the right corpus cavernosum.

Collagen I:III ratio in canine heterologous bladder acellular matrix grafts.

The objective of this study was to investigate the limitations of a heterologous bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG) and the influence of the collagen ratio on functional regeneration in a large animal model. Ten female dogs underwent partial cystectomy; eight received BAMG (two homologous; six heterologous) and two partial cystectomy only. A cystometry was performed prior to surgery and 7 months postoperatively when all animals underwent sacral root stimulation.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on regeneration of bladder acellular matrix graft: histologic and functional evaluation.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on regeneration of the bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG).

Methods: A total of 40 female rats were divided into two groups. In the experimental group (VEGF+), the BAMG was incubated in VEGF and VEGF was injected into the host bladder.

The additive erectile recovery effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor combined with vascular endothelial growth factor in a rat model of neurogenic impotence.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that combined intracavernosal injection with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with adeno-associated virus-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (AAV-BDNF) synergistically facilitates the neural regeneration and erectile function after cavernosal nerve injury.

Materials And Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: eight had a sham operation while 32 had bilateral cavernosal nerve freezing followed by an immediate intracavernosal injection with either phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), VEGF, AAV-BDNF, or AAV-BDNF + VEGF. Erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months, and samples of the major pelvic ganglia and penile tissue were evaluated histologically.

The effect of neural embryonic stem cell therapy in a rat model of cavernosal nerve injury.

Objective: To isolate embryonic stem cells that have differentiated along the neuronal cell line, and to assess whether injecting these neural stem cells into the corpus cavernosum influences cavernosal nerve regeneration and functional status.

Materials And Methods: Embryonic neural stem cells were obtained; 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: five had a sham operation; eight (controls) had a bilateral cavernosal nerve crush and injection of culture medium into the corpora cavernosa; four had an injection of neural embryonic stem (NES) cells into the major pelvic ganglion (MPG); and nine had bilateral cavernosal nerve crush and injection of NES cells into the corpora cavernosa. Erectile response was assessed by cavernosal nerve electrostimulation at 3 months, and penile tissue samples were evaluated histochemically for nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing fibres, tyrosine hydroxylase and neurofilament staining.

The effect of labor and/or ovariectomy on rodent continence mechanism--the neuronal changes.

Many women develop stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after childbirth, but the exact neuronal changes are largely unknown. This study is designed to identify the neuronal changes associated with pregnancy, delivery and ovariectomy. A total of 10 virgin and 48 pregnant rats were used.

Homologous acellular matrix graft for vaginal repair in rats: a pilot study for a new reconstructive approach.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate using an acellular matrix graft of vagina (VAMG) or bladder (BAMG) in vaginal reconstruction. In 18 rats, vaginal length was measured and a hysterectomy performed. In three control animals, the vaginal stump was closed.

The bladder acellular matrix graft in a rat chemical cystitis model: functional and histologic evaluation.

Purpose: We investigated the feasibility of augmentation in a diseased bladder with a bladder acellular matrix graft.

Materials And Methods: In 50 female Sprague-Dawley rats chemical cystitis was induced by intravesical instillation of HCl repeated monthly to maintain chronic inflammation. Urodynamic studies were performed in all rats 1 week after the induction of chemical cystitis and repeated at sacrifice.

Long-term survival of autotransplanted major pelvic ganglion in the corpus cavernosum of adult rats.

Purpose: Neurogenic impotence is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery, irradiation or perineal trauma. Neuronal transplantation is a new frontier for treating neurological disorders. We investigated whether the major pelvic ganglion can survive and become functional after being implanted into the corpus cavernosum in adult rats.