Vascular regenerative therapies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: current approaches

Andrology. 2013 Jul;1(4):533-40. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2013.00087.x. Epub 2013 May 8.

Abstract

The pharmacological treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) is mainly represented by the administration of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5). However, in the clinical practice many patients do not benefit from such a treatment, hence the scientific interest extends to other therapeutic strategies; in particular, to the vascular regenerative therapy. This review describes the main acquisitions related to this approach represented by the mesenchymal stem cell or adipose tissue stem cell transplantation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase or vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy. Moreover, there are other two aspects of wide interest represented by the potential vascular regenerative effects exerted by the PDE5 inhibitors and the therapeutic strategies for a category of patients who more frequently do not respond to the conventional treatment for ED, the patients with diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / transplantation
  • Animals
  • Genetic Therapy* / methods
  • Humans
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / enzymology
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / genetics
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / physiopathology
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Penile Erection / drug effects*
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III