Regenerative medicine is a relatively young field in the treatment of various conditions. Several novel applications of various types of stem cells have been tried and applied in various aspects of urology. Some published articles provide promising early results.
BMSCs, SkMSCs, and AFSCs have been used for bladder augmentation and detrusor regeneration in animals. SkMSCs are the only stem cells to have been successfully tested in humans, for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. ESCs, BMSCs and SkMSCs have been shown to improve erectile function in animal models. Both ESCs and BMSCs can be differentiated into sperm and, remarkably, the ESC-derived sperms have generated offspring in mice.
Shock waves appear to induce micro trauma to the tether tissue hence, stimulate vascular flow and erectile function and one possible mechanism of action are through an endogenous stem cell-mediated regenerative effect. This micro trauma not only stimulates the local regenerative process, but the resultant signals act as a lighthouse for the ADSC’s to reach and synergistically enhance the local regenerative and repair process in the penile corpora.
• Overall, 37 out of 52 patients (71%) reported an improvement in erectile function after combined SVF and Li-ESWT. None of the other fifteen patients reported worsening of their erectile function after treatment.
• Future studies are needed in the form of placebo randomized trials to better establish the effects of stem cells combined with shock waves on Erectile Dysfunction.