Urine-derived Stem Cells versus their lysate in Ameliorating Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Type II Diabetes

Abstract The present study compared the effect of transplantation of urine-derived stem cells (USCs) and their lysate (USCs-L) into the corpora cavernosa (CC) of rats with diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED). A rat model of DED was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After proving DED, USCs and USCs-L were transplanted into CC of two groups of rats. Our histopathological and morphometric results showed marked obliteration of the cavernous spaces with bands of collagen fibres, significant increase of collagen/smooth muscle ratio and decrease the mean area percentage of α-SMA in the CC of diabetic rats. The ultrastructure of the endothelium lining the cavernous spaces of the same group revealed irregular surface with villi-like projections along with thickening and splitting of their basal lamina. The diabetic rats exhibited deterioration of the all the parameters of copulatory function compared to the control rats. Transplantation of USCs and USCs-L significantly restored the structure and the ultrastructure of the CC and improved the sexual function compared to the diabetic rats without significant difference between them. The transplanted USCs were detected in a good number in the CC four weeks after transplantation, while their number decreased by the 8th week. As a conclusion, USCs and USCs-L can repair the structure and the ultrastructure of CC and improve the sexual function in a rat model of DED without significant different between them. however, the USCs-L could be better used as a treatment strategy in DED to avoid the undetected behaviour of USCs and decreased their survivability after transplantation.