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Manish Narasimman et al., 2024: A primer on the restorative therapies for erectile dysfunction: a narrative review.

Manish Narasimman, Max Sandler, Ari Bernstein, Justin Loloi, Russell G Saltzman, Helen Bernie, Ranjith Ramasamy
Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States.
2Department of Urology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016, United States.
3Department of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, United States.
4Department of Urology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that affects millions worldwide. Patients and urologists alike are seeking alternative therapies that can provide long-lasting results in the treatment of ED. This review provides a comprehensive overview of restorative treatments available for ED, such as platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and shockwave therapy.

Objective: The aim of this narrative review is to provide a primer for urologists and general practitioners on the basics of implementing ED restorative therapies in their practice.

Methods: The PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles in the English language through August 31, 2023, that included key terms such as "erectile dysfunction," "restorative therapy," "shockwave therapy," "platelet-rich plasma," "stem cell therapy," and "stromal vascular fraction." Reference lists of selected studies were manually reviewed to find articles not identified by the initial database search.

Results: Shockwave therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in treating ED, with devices like the Medispec ED1000 and Storz Duolith showing statistically significant improvements in patient scores for International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-Erectile Function scores in clinical trials. In reported studies of platelet-rich plasma injections, a substantial percentage of patients reached a minimal clinically important difference in the IIEF-Erectile Function scale after treatment. Studies of ED treatment with stem cell therapy, while limited and with small sample sizes, have demonstrated encouraging improvements in patient scores for the abridged 5-item version of the IIEF after treatment.

Conclusion: Shockwave, platelet-rich plasma, and stem cell therapies are important, novel, noninvasive restorative treatments for ED that can provide relief for patients wishing to avoid a more invasive approach. While these therapies have shown promising results in clinical trials, more research is required to establish them as standardized and efficacious options in the management of ED.

PMID: 38494449 DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae012

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Comments 1

Jens Rassweiler on Thursday, 27 June 2024 11:00

This review covers restorative treatments for ED, focusing on platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and shockwave therapy.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for articles in English up to August 31, 2023. Key search terms included "erectile dysfunction," "restorative therapy," "shockwave therapy," "platelet-rich plasma," "stem cell therapy," and "stromal vascular fraction." Reference lists of selected studies were also reviewed manually to find additional relevant articles.
Results
Shockwave therapy uses low-intensity sound waves to promote neovascularization, improve blood flow, and enhance tissue regeneration in the penis. It is believed to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which plays a crucial role in the relaxation of smooth muscles and blood vessel dilation. Medispec ED1000 and Storz Duolith are among the devices used, with clinical trials showing significant improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections involve concentrating platelets from the patient’s blood and injecting them into the penile tissue. Platelets release growth factors that promote tissue repair, regeneration, and improved vascular function. Studies indicate a significant percentage of patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference in IIEF-Erectile Function scores. PRP injections have been associated with improved erectile function, firmness, and overall satisfaction.
Stem Cell Therapy involves the use of stem cells, typically derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow, to regenerate damaged tissues and improve blood flow in the penile tissue. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various cell types, promoting repair and regeneration. Preliminary studies with small sample sizes have shown encouraging improvements in IIEF scores. Patients have reported enhanced erectile function and satisfaction post-treatment.
Comparative Insights
• Shockwave Therapy appears to be the most well-studied among the three, with multiple clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy in improving erectile function. It is non-invasive and can be combined with other therapies for enhanced results.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections show promising results in improving erectile function by utilizing the body's own healing mechanisms. However, the lack of standardized protocols makes it difficult to compare results across studies.

• Stem Cell Therapy holds the most potential for long-term regenerative benefits but is still in the early stages of research with limited clinical data. Regulatory issues and ethical concerns also need to be addressed.

Conclusions

Shockwave, PRP, and stem cell therapies represent important, novel, non-invasive restorative treatments for ED that offer promising results for patients seeking alternatives to traditional therapies. However, while the initial results are encouraging, more research is required to standardize these treatments and confirm their long-term efficacy and safety. Urologists and general practitioners should stay informed about ongoing research and emerging data to effectively integrate these therapies into clinical practice.

Jens Rassweiler

This review covers restorative treatments for ED, focusing on platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and shockwave therapy. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for articles in English up to August 31, 2023. Key search terms included "erectile dysfunction," "restorative therapy," "shockwave therapy," "platelet-rich plasma," "stem cell therapy," and "stromal vascular fraction." Reference lists of selected studies were also reviewed manually to find additional relevant articles. Results Shockwave therapy uses low-intensity sound waves to promote neovascularization, improve blood flow, and enhance tissue regeneration in the penis. It is believed to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which plays a crucial role in the relaxation of smooth muscles and blood vessel dilation. Medispec ED1000 and Storz Duolith are among the devices used, with clinical trials showing significant improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections involve concentrating platelets from the patient’s blood and injecting them into the penile tissue. Platelets release growth factors that promote tissue repair, regeneration, and improved vascular function. Studies indicate a significant percentage of patients achieving a minimal clinically important difference in IIEF-Erectile Function scores. PRP injections have been associated with improved erectile function, firmness, and overall satisfaction. Stem Cell Therapy involves the use of stem cells, typically derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow, to regenerate damaged tissues and improve blood flow in the penile tissue. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into various cell types, promoting repair and regeneration. Preliminary studies with small sample sizes have shown encouraging improvements in IIEF scores. Patients have reported enhanced erectile function and satisfaction post-treatment. Comparative Insights • Shockwave Therapy appears to be the most well-studied among the three, with multiple clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy in improving erectile function. It is non-invasive and can be combined with other therapies for enhanced results. • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections show promising results in improving erectile function by utilizing the body's own healing mechanisms. However, the lack of standardized protocols makes it difficult to compare results across studies. • Stem Cell Therapy holds the most potential for long-term regenerative benefits but is still in the early stages of research with limited clinical data. Regulatory issues and ethical concerns also need to be addressed. Conclusions Shockwave, PRP, and stem cell therapies represent important, novel, non-invasive restorative treatments for ED that offer promising results for patients seeking alternatives to traditional therapies. However, while the initial results are encouraging, more research is required to standardize these treatments and confirm their long-term efficacy and safety. Urologists and general practitioners should stay informed about ongoing research and emerging data to effectively integrate these therapies into clinical practice. Jens Rassweiler
Wednesday, 12 February 2025