Korean J Androl.  2011 Dec;29(3):223-230. 10.5534/kja.2011.29.3.223.

Efficacy and Safety of Biodegradable Microparticles in the Regeneration of Injured Rabbit Corpus Cavernosum: Primary Report

• Kim YJ
• Lee SJ
• Yoon H
• Chung WS
• Kim JY
• Shin MJ
• Kang WH
• Kim GP

• KMID: 2226456
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/kja.2011.29.3.223

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study analyzed the effectiveness of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as a tissue recovery agent and determines the in vivo safety and efficacy of microparticle-based PLGA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifteen 3-month-old male white rabbits were used. Allogenic adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) was cultured and labeled with the fluorescent dye PKH26. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups: the SVF group, the PLGA group, the normal control group, and the disease control group. The right corpus cavernosal tissue of the rabbits was surgically removed in the selected portion, except in the normal control group. The defect space of each rabbit was replaced with 10(6) SVF cells in the SVF group and 0.1 g of biodegradable polymer solution in the PLGA group. Microscopic confirmation and analysis of tissue regeneration were performed after 8 weeks. Using confocal microscopy, the nuclei of the smooth muscle cells and SVF migration were examined. The composition of smooth muscle and fibrosis of the injured corpus cavernosum were compared and analyzed by Masson's trichrome stain.
RESULTS
There were no signs of migration or rejection of the injected materials in any of the experimental groups. The mean amount of smooth muscle in the normal control group was 15.25+/-1.34 microm2 (right) and 13.90+/-0.703 microm2 (left); in the disease control group it was 11.10+/-0.87 microm2 (right) and 12.80+/-1.01 microm2 (left); in the SVF group it was 13.82+/-4.10 microm2 (right) and 13.96+/-3.94 microm2 (left); and in the PLGA group it was 12.89+/-1.39 microm2 (right) and 13.24+/-1.43 microm2 (left). Only the disease control group showed significant decreased smooth muscle in the left cavernosum (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the left and right side of each rabbit's cavernosal smooth muscle in the SVF or PLGA group (p>0.05). Furthermore, no difference was found between any two groups (normal control versus SVF (p=0.705), normal control versus PLGA (p=0.88), SVF versus PLGA (p=0.23).
CONCLUSIONS
PLGA microparticles had the same tissue restoring effect when compared with SVF and no adverse effect or migration of particles was found through the injection of PLGA or SVF. PLGA is safe and has the proper tissue recovery effect, saving additional tissue harvesting.

Keyword

Penis; Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid); Regeneration

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Fibrosis
Humans
Infant
Lactic Acid
Male
Microscopy, Confocal
Muscle, Smooth
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Organic Chemicals
Penis
Polyglycolic Acid
Polymers
Rabbits
Regeneration
Rejection (Psychology)
Tissue and Organ Harvesting
Lactic Acid
Organic Chemicals
Polyglycolic Acid
Polymers

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Surgical features of rabbit corpus cavernosum. (A) An incision was made and tissue was partially removed in the right dorsum of the rabbit corpus cavernosum. (B) Nylon 5-0 suture was performed as a marker and the tunica albuginea was closed so that it was watertight. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticle (0.1 g) solution was injected into the defect of the corpus cavernosum at the final step of the closure. This figure shows the placement of the PLGA is in the corpus cavernosum defect before closure.

• 

  Fig. 2. Fluorescence was confirmed in the nuclear area of the corpus cavernosal smooth muscle cells in the injected site of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Smooth muscle cells with fluorescence-positive nuclei were differentiated from injected SVF, and there was no evidence of abnormal differentiation from or migration of SVF.

• 

  Fig. 3. Section of corpus cavernosum with Masson-trichrome stain. (A) Normal control group. (B) Disease control group. (C) Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) group, 8 weeks after the SVF injection. (D) Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) group, 8 weeks after the injection. PLGA particles were almost completely resolved 8 weeks after implantation (40×each). Whitish empty spaces (∗) in the corpus cavernosal area of the SVF (C) and PLGA (D) groups are artifacts that developed during processing. (E) The PLGA group, 4 weeks after the injection. Distinguishable PLGA particles (arrows) were present (400×).

• 

  Fig. 4. Only the disease control group showed a significantly decreased amount of smooth muscle in the left cavernosum (p ＜0.05 in Mann-Whitney test) When comparing the amount of smooth muscle content among the groups, in the right cavernosum, which was experimental side, it was significantly decreased only in the disease control group (p＜0.05 in Mann-Whitney test). a: normal control group left vs. right p=0.175, b: disease control group left vs. right p=0.016, c: SVF group left vs. right p=0.917, d: PLGA group left vs. right p=0.745, e: normal control group vs. SVF group p=0.175, f: positive group vs. PLGA group p=0.076, g: SVF group vs. PLGA group p=0.230, h: normal control group vs. disease control group p=0.009, i: disease control group vs SVF group p=0.016, j: disease control group vs. PLGA group p=0.047.

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