The effect of transplanted adipose‐tissue derived stem cells (ADSCs) on the aging rat with erectile dysfunction

Objectives To determine the protective effects and to identify the mechanism of action of transplanted ADSCs in D‐galactose ‐induced aging ED rat model. Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (A), model group(B) and cell treatment group (C) . The aging model was induced by s.c. injection D‐galactose for 8 weeks. Each rat in group C underwent caudal vein injection of ADSCs. Two weeks later, harvest tissue and serum after the mating experiment for histology. Results D‐gal successfully produced aging rat model. ADSCs treatments improved the behavior of aging rats in mating experiment in group C, and resulted in significant recovery of erectile function. Also increased the level of SOD and testosterone, decreased the content of MDA in the serum. In addition, ADSCs decreased leydig cell degeneration and lowered AI in the rat testis in group C. Testosterone with significantly higher expression compared with C animals. BrdU‐labeled ADSCs were observed within corporal tissue of the treatment group. TUNEL staining was lower and 3β‐HSD expression were significantly higher within corporal tissue of B versus C animals. AI was significantly different between groups. Conclusions Autologous ADSCs injected into the caudal vein appear to survive and improve erectile function. The transplanted ADSCs have an anti‐aging activity in D‐gal induced ageing rats. Supported by National 973 Program (2007CB512705) and Guangdong province high and new technology industrialization project ‐ industrial research (2011 b010500004)