Chinese scientists have developed a hydrogel-based patch that could heal penile injuries and restore erectile function.
- About half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 suffer from some form of erectile dysfunction.
- Nearly 5% of them would be affected by Lapeyronie’s disease, which is characterized by a fibrous thickening which contracts and deforms the penis, altering its shape during erection.
Tunica albuginea (Tunica albuginea) is a thick, gray tissue that covers the cavernous body of the penis. It is characterized by “a double-layered structure composed of wavy collagen fibers”, according to researchers from the South China University of Technology. “During erection, these fibers undergo straightening and stretching to transition between softness and firmness,” they specified. If this tissue is damaged, the patient may suffer from erectile dysfunction.
A hydrogel-based patch with the same properties as Tunica albuginea
In a study published in the journal matter, the Chinese team has developed an artificial albuginea tunic to restore erectile function. In detail, they have worked out a patch “composed of a stiffening hydrogel consisting of aligned but wavy fibers”. Therefore, it has biomechanical properties that mimic those of the natural tunica albuginea. Next, the researchers conducted laboratory experiments to analyze the toxicity of the artificial fabric and its compatibility with blood since it is designed to remain in the body for a long time. According to them, this artificial albuginea tunic should not be harmful to other tissues.
Artificial albuginea tunic restored erectile function
To test the effectiveness of this hydrogel-based patch, the researchers conducted an experiment on guinea pigs with lesions in the tunica albuginea. The latter made an incision on their penis to prevent erection and then sutured the artificial tunica albuginea over it. According to the study, the patch had “the ability to repair wounds”. Another finding was that it helped restore erectile function in a similar way to normal penile tissue.
An injury to the penis also damages the nerves and the corpora cavernosa
“Results one month after the intervention showed that the group that received the patch had good results, but not perfect in terms of repair”, said Xuetao Shi, author of the research, in a statement. During the study, the scientists found that the tunica albuginea was not the only tissue damaged in the event of injuries to the penis. They say surrounding nerves and the corpora cavernosa are often damaged as well, making repairs more difficult.
“At this point, our work is focused on repairing a single penile tissue. The next step will be to consider repairing the entire penile defect or constructing an artificial penis as a whole,” said Xuetao Shi. He added that the authors also plan to study techniques for repairing other tissues, including the heart and bladder.
