Repeated platelet-rich plasma injections improve erectile dysfunction in a rat model of hyperhomocysteinemia.
- Author:
Zhe YU
1
;
Yuan-Zhi XIE
;
Xiao-Lan HUANG
;
Su-Zhen HUANG
;
Xiang-Min LUO
;
Jin-Xiang WU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Male; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Hyperhomocysteinemia/complications*; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology*; Rats; Disease Models, Animal; Penis; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*; Penile Erection/physiology*; Apomorphine/administration & dosage*
- From: Asian Journal of Andrology 2024;26(6):622-627
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) shows promise as a regenerative modality for mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). However, its efficacy in treating severe ED remains unknown. Blood samples from 8-week-old male rats were used to prepare PRP through a two-step centrifugation procedure, followed by chitosan activation and freeze thaw cycle. A hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-related ED model was established using a methionine-enriched diet, and an apomorphine (APO) test was conducted during the 4 th week. APO-negative rats were divided into two groups and were injected with PRP or saline every 2 weeks. Erectile function and histological analyses of the corpus cavernosum were performed during the 16 th week. The results revealed that erectile function was significantly impaired in rats with HHcy-related ED compared to that in age-matched rats but was improved by repeated PRP injections. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a reduction in reactive oxygen species and additional benefits on the recovery of structures within the corpus cavernosum in rats that received PRP treatment compared to those in the saline-injected control group. Therefore, PRP could enhance functional and structural recovery in a severe HHcy-related ED model. A notable strength of the present study lies in the use of a repeated intracavernous injection method, mirroring protocols used in human studies, which offers more reliable results for translating the findings to humans.
