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- Bivalacqua, Trinity J., et al.
(author)
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Dysregulation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG-1) impairs erectile function in diabetic rats: influence of in vivo gene therapy of PKG1 alpha
- 2007
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In: BJU International. - 1464-4096 .- 1464-410X. ; 99:6, s. 1488-1494
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To investigate the expression of cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 (PKG1)alpha and PKG1 beta in the corpus cavernosum, and to evaluate the effect of adenoviral gene transfer of PKG1 alpha to the erectile compartment on erectile function in a rat model of diabetes. Diabetic (DM; induced by streptozotocin) male Sprague Dawley rats were transfected with adenoviruses (AdCMV beta gal or AdCMVPKG1 alpha, in 10 rats each) 2 months after the induction of DM. Intracavernosal pressure (ICP) during stimulation of the cavernosal nerve (CN) was assessed, and compared with mean arterial pressure (MAP). Erectile tissue was harvested for Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and total PKG activity. Ten age-matched rats without DM served as the control. Compared to controls, AdCMV beta gal-transfected DM rats had significantly lower peak ICP responses, ICP/MAP ratios, and filling rates during CN stimulation. In DM rats transfected with AdCMVPKG1 alpha, peak ICP, ICP/MAP ratios and filling rates were significantly better than in DM rats transfected with the reporter gene. As assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, expression of PKG1 alpha and PKG1 beta was lower in corporal tissue from DM AdCMV beta gal-transfected rats than in controls. PKG1 alpha expression was improved after AdCMVPKG1 alpha gene therapy. Total PKG activity was lower in DM rat corporal tissue than in controls, and PKG1 alpha gene transfer significantly improved DM corporal PKG activity to a value greater than in the control. PKG1 alpha and PKG1 beta activities are reduced in the erectile tissue of the diabetic rat, and gene transfer of PKG1 alpha to the penis restored PKG activity and erectile function in vivo in diabetic rats. Gene therapy procedures targeting PKG1 alpha might be an interesting future therapeutic approach to overcome diabetic erectile dysfunction resistant to oral pharmacotherapy.
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- Hannan, Johanna L., et al.
(author)
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Inhibition of Rho-Kinase Improves Erectile Function, Increases Nitric Oxide Signaling and Decreases Penile Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Cavernous Nerve Injury
- 2013
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In: Journal of Urology. - : Elsevier. - 0022-5347 .- 1527-3792. ; 189:3, s. 1155-1161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Bilateral cavernous nerve injury results in up-regulation of ROCK signaling in the penis. This is linked to erectile dysfunction in an animal model of post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction. We evaluated whether daily treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 (Tocris Bioscience, Ellisville, Missouri) would prevent erectile dysfunction in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury.Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley(R) rats underwent surgery to create sham (14) or bilateral (27) cavernous nerve injury. In the injury group 13 rats received treatment with Y-27632 (5 mg/kg twice daily) and 14 received vehicle. At 14 days after injury, rats underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to determine erectile function. Penes were assessed for neuronal and nitric oxide synthase membrane-endothelial nitric oxide synthase. ROCK2 was assessed by Western blot. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cavernous homogenates were tested for ROCK and protein kinase G enzymatic activity. Penile apoptosis was evaluated using the Apostain technique (Alexis, San Diego, California). Data were analyzed on ROCK using ANOVA and the t test.Results: While erectile function was decreased in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury, daily administration of Y-27632 improved erectile responses. Injury decreased neuronal and nitric oxide synthase membrane-endothelial nitric oxide synthase but ROCK2 was significantly increased. Y-27632 treatment restored neuronal nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide synthase membrane-endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels, and protein kinase G activity. Treatment significantly decreased ROCK2 protein and ROCK activity. There were significantly fewer apoptotic cells after treatment than in injured controls.Conclusions: These results provide evidence for up-regulation of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway with detrimental effects on erectile function after bilateral cavernous nerve injury. ROCK inhibition improved erectile dysfunction associated with bilateral cavernous nerve injury by preserving penile nitric oxide bioavailability and decreasing penile apoptosis.
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- Zuiverloon, Tahlita C.M., et al.
(author)
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Recommendations for follow-up of muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients : A consensus by the international bladder cancer network
- 2018
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In: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. - : Elsevier BV. - 1078-1439. ; 36:9, s. 423-431
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale: Several guidelines exist that address treatment of patients with nonmetastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, most only briefly mention follow-up strategies for patients and hence the treating physician is often left to infer on what the preferred follow-up schema would be for an individual patient. Herein, we aim to synthesize recommendations for follow-up of patients with MIBC for easy reference. Methods: A multidisciplinary MIBC expert panel from the International Bladder Cancer Network was assembled to critically assess currently available major guidelines on surveillance of MIBC patients. Recommendations for follow-up were extracted and critically evaluated. Important considerations for guideline assessment included both aspects of oncological and functional follow-up-frequency of visits, the use of different imaging modalities, the role of cytology and molecular markers, and the duration of follow-up. Outcome: An International Bladder Cancer Network expert consensus recommendation was constructed for the follow-up of patients with MIBC based on the currently available evidence-based data.
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4. |
- Castiglione, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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Adipose-derived Stem Cells Counteract Urethral Stricture Formation in Rats
- 2016
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 70:6, s. 1032-1041
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: A medical treatment for urethral stricture (US) is not yet available. Objective: To evaluate if local injection of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSC) prevents urethral fibrosis in a rat model of US. Design, setting, and participants: Male rats were divided into three groups: sham, US, and hADSC (n = 12 each). Sham rats received a vehicle injection in the urethral wall. US and hADSCs were incised and injected with the fibrosis-inducer transforming growth factor-β1 in the urethral wall. Intervention: One day later, hADSCs were injected in the urethral wall of hADSC rats whereas sham and US rats were injected with the vehicle. After 4 wk, the rats underwent cystometries and tissues were then harvested for functional and molecular analyses. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Cystometry, microultrasound, histochemistry, organ bath studies, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot. Results and limitations: US rats exhibited 49-51% shorter micturition intervals, 35-51% smaller micturition volumes and bladder capacity, 33-62% higher threshold pressures and flow pressures, and 35-37% lower bladder filling compliance compared with hADSC-treated rats and sham rats (p
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6. |
- Castiglione, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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Intratunical Injection of Human Adipose Tissue-derived Stem Cells Prevents Fibrosis and Is Associated with Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Peyronies Disease
- 2013
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 63:3, s. 551-560
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Peyronies disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of the tunica albuginea (TA). Currently, no gold standard has been developed for the treatment of the disease in its active phase. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanObjective: To test the effects of a local injection of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in the active phase of a rat model of PD on the subsequent development of fibrosis and elastosis of the TA and underlying erectile tissue. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanDesign, setting, and participants: A total of 27 male 12-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in three equal groups and underwent injection of vehicle (sham), 50-mu g transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 in a 50-mu l vehicle in either a PD or a PD plus ADSC group in the dorsal aspect of the TA. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanIntervention: The sham and PD groups were treated 1 d after TGF-beta 1 injection with intralesional treatment of vehicle, and the PD plus ADSC group received 1 million human-labeled ADSCs in the 50-mu l vehicle. Five weeks after treatment, six rats per group underwent erectile function measurement. Following euthanasia, penises were harvested for histology and Western blot. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanOutcome measurements and statistical analysis: The ratio of intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) upon cavernous nerve stimulation, elastin, and collagen III protein expression and histomorphometric analysis of the penis. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey-Kramer test for post hoc comparisons or the Mann-Whitney test when applicable. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults and limitations: Erectile function significantly improved after ADSC treatment (ICP/MAP 0.37 in PD vs 0.59 in PD plus ADSC at 5-V stimulation; p = 0.03). PD animals developed areas of fibrosis and elastosis with a significant upregulation of collagen III and elastin protein expression. These fibrotic changes were prevented by ADSC treatment. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: This study is the first to test stem cell therapy in an animal model of PD. Injection of ADSCs into the TA during the active phase of PD prevents the formation of fibrosis and elastosis in the TA and corpus cavernosum.
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7. |
- Castiglione, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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Intratunical Injection of Human Adipose Tissue–Derived Stem Cells Restores Collagen III/I Ratio in a Rat Model of Chronic Peyronie's Disease
- 2019
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In: Sexual Medicine. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2050-1161. ; 7:1, s. 94-103
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Previous studies have shown that the injection of adipose tissue–derived stem cells (ADSCs) into the tunica albuginea (TA) during the active phase of Peyronie's disease (PD) prevents the development of fibrosis. Aim: To investigate, using an animal model, whether local injection of human ADSCs (hADSCs) can alter the degree of fibrosis in the chronic phase of PD. Methods: 27 male, 12-week-old rats were divided into 3 equal groups: sham, PD without treatment, and PD treated with hADSCs 1 month after disease induction. Sham rats underwent 2 injections of vehicle into the TA 1 month apart. PD rats underwent transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) injection and injection of vehicle 1 month later. PD-hADSC rats underwent TGFβ1 injection followed by 1 million hADSCs 1 month later. 1 week after treatment, n = 3 animals/group were euthanized, and the penises were harvested for quantitative polymerase chain reaction. 1 month after treatment, the other animals, n = 6 per group, underwent measurement of intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. After euthanasia, penises were again harvested for histology and Western blot. Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measures included (a) gene expression at one week post-injection; (b) measurement of ICP/MAP upon cavernous nerve stimulation as a measure of erectile function; (c) elastin, collagen I and III protein expression; and (d) Histomorphometric analysis of the penis. Means where compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a Student-Newman-Keuls test for post hoc comparisons or Mann-Whitney test when applicable. Results: No significant difference was noted in ICP or ICP/MAP in response to cavernous nerve electrostimulation between the 3 groups at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 V (P > .05 for all voltages). PD animals developed tunical and subtunical areas of fibrosis with a significant upregulation of collagen III protein. The collagen III/I ratio was higher in the PD (4.6 ± 0.92) group compared with sham (0.66 ± 0.18) and PD-hADSC (0.86 ± 0.06) groups (P < .05) These fibrotic changes were prevented when treated with hADSCs. Compared with PD rats, PD-hADSC rats demonstrated a decreased expression of several fibrosis-related genes. Conclusion: Injection of hADSCs reduces collagen III expression in a rat model of chronic PD. Castiglione F, Hedlund P, Weyne E, et al. Intratunical Injection of Human Adipose Tissue–Derived Stem Cells Restores Collagen III/I Ratio in a Rat Model of Chronic Peyronie's Disease. Sex Med 2018;XX:XX–XX.
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8. |
- Castiglione, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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Intratunical injection of stromal vascular fraction prevents fibrosis in a rat model of Peyronies disease
- 2019
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In: BJU International. - : WILEY. - 1464-4096 .- 1464-410X. ; 124:2, s. 342-348
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To investigate whether local injection of autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can prevent the development of fibrosis and elastosis in the tunica albuginea (TA) using a rat model of the acute phase of Peyronies disease (PD). Methods A total of 24 male 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups: sham; PD without treatment (transforming growth factor-beta [TGF -beta]); and PD treated with SVF 1 day after disease induction. Sham rats received two injections of vehicle into the TA 1 day apart. TGF -beta rats received TGF- beta 1 injection and injection of vehicle 1 day later. SVF rats received TGF-beta 1 injection, followed by SVF 1 day later. One month after treatment, all rats underwent measurement of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure during electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve. The rats were then killed and penises were harvested for histology and Western blot analysis. Results Erectile function was moderately reduced in the TGF-beta group and was significantly improved after SVF treatment (P amp;lt; 0.05). PD rats developed areas of fibrosis with a significant upregulation of collagen III, collagen I and elastin protein expression. These fibrotic changes were prevented when treated with SVF. Conclusions Local injection of SVF may represent treatment for the acute phase of PD.
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- Castiglione, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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Perioperative Betamethasone Treatment Reduces Signs of Bladder Dysfunction in a Rat Model for Neurapraxia in Female Urogenital Surgery
- 2012
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In: European Urology. - : Elsevier. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 62:6, s. 1076-1085
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Information on autonomic neurapraxia in female urogenital surgery is scarce, and a model to study it is not available.OBJECTIVE:To develop a model to study the impact of autonomic neurapraxia on bladder function in female rats, as well as to assess the effects of corticosteroid therapy on the recovery of bladder function in this model.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral pelvic nerve crush (PNC) and perioperatively treated with betamethasone or vehicle. Bladder function and morphology of bladder tissue were evaluated and compared with sham-operated rats.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:Western blot, immunohistochemistry, organ bath experiments, and cystometry.RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS:Sham-operated rats exhibited regular micturitions without nonvoiding contractions (NVCs). Crush of all nerve branches of the pelvic plexus or PNC resulted in overflow incontinence and/or NVCs. Betamethasone treatment improved recovery of regular micturitions (87.5% compared with 27% for vehicle; p<0.05), reduced lowest bladder pressure (8 ± 2 cm H(2)O compared with 21 ± 5 cm H(2)O for vehicle; p<0.05), and reduced the amplitude of NVCs but had no effect on NVC frequency in PNC rats. Compared with vehicle, betamethasone-treated PNC rats had less CD68 (a macrophage marker) in the pelvic plexus and bladder tissue. Isolated bladder from betamethasone-treated PNC rats exhibited better nerve-induced contractions, contained more cholinergic and sensory nerves, and expressed lower amounts of collagen III than bladder tissue from vehicle-treated rats.CONCLUSIONS:PNC causes autonomic neurapraxia and functional and morphologic changes of isolated bladder tissue that can be recorded as bladder dysfunction during awake cystometry in female rats. Perioperative systemic betamethasone treatment reduced macrophage contents of the pelvic plexus and bladder, partially counteracted changes in the bladder tissue, and had protective effects on micturition function.
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