Researchers tested whether special cells called stem cells could help treat erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes. They used stem cells from three different sources: healthy people, diabetic people without ED problems, and diabetic people with ED problems. When they injected these cells into diabetic rats with erectile dysfunction, the stem cells from healthy people worked the best. The treatment helped restore muscle tissue in the penis and increased important nerve signals. This suggests that men with diabetes might benefit from saving their own healthy stem cells early, before diabetes causes sexual problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether stem cells from different sources could repair sexual function problems caused by diabetes, and which source of stem cells worked best
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats that were given diabetes through injection, then developed sexual dysfunction problems. The study compared three types of stem cells: from healthy rats, from diabetic rats without sexual problems, and from diabetic rats with sexual problems
  • Key finding: Stem cells from healthy sources were significantly more effective at restoring sexual function than stem cells from diabetic sources. The healthy stem cells increased muscle tissue in the penis and boosted important nerve signals by 28 days after treatment
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that men with diabetes might want to preserve healthy stem cells early, before diabetes causes sexual problems. However, this is still early research in animals, and human studies are needed before this becomes a standard treatment

The Research Details

Scientists first created diabetes in laboratory rats by injecting them with a chemical called streptozotocin after feeding them a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, they confirmed which rats had developed sexual dysfunction using a specific test. Then they divided the diabetic rats with sexual problems into groups and injected each group with one million stem cells from different sources directly into the penis tissue. The researchers then measured how well sexual function recovered and examined the tissue under a microscope 28 days later.

The study compared three types of stem cells: normal stem cells from healthy rats, stem cells from diabetic rats without sexual problems, and stem cells from diabetic rats with sexual problems. This comparison was important because it helped determine whether the source of the stem cells mattered for treatment success.

The researchers also performed advanced testing called proteomic analysis, which examines thousands of proteins in the tissue to understand how the stem cells were helping repair damage caused by diabetes.

This research design is important because it tests a real-world question: if someone has diabetes, should they use stem cells from a healthy person, or would stem cells from another diabetic person work just as well? The answer could change how doctors approach treating diabetes-related sexual problems in the future. By comparing three different sources, the study provides clear evidence about which type of stem cell is most effective

This is an animal study, which means results cannot be directly applied to humans yet. The study was well-designed with clear comparison groups and specific measurements of outcomes. The researchers used multiple methods to evaluate success, including physical examination, tissue analysis, and protein testing. However, the sample size of rats in each group was not specified in the abstract, which makes it harder to assess statistical power. This type of preliminary research is important for deciding whether human trials should be conducted

What the Results Show

When stem cells from healthy sources were injected into the penis tissue of diabetic rats with sexual dysfunction, the treatment significantly improved sexual function. The healthy stem cells showed the strongest ability to grow and multiply compared to stem cells from diabetic sources.

After 28 days of treatment, the researchers observed important changes in the penis tissue. The number of smooth muscle cells—the cells responsible for allowing the penis to become erect—increased substantially. Additionally, the ratio of muscle tissue to collagen fiber (scar tissue) improved, meaning there was more functional muscle and less scar tissue.

The treatment also boosted nerve signals in the tissue. Specifically, an important nerve chemical called neuronal nitric oxide synthase increased significantly in the dorsal nerve, which is crucial for sexual function. This suggests the stem cells helped restore the nerve signals needed for normal sexual response.

Protein analysis revealed that diabetic rats had very low levels of protective proteins called heat shock proteins, but stem cell treatment increased these protective proteins. These heat shock proteins may be one of the key ways stem cells help repair diabetes-related damage.

The study found that stem cells from diabetic sources—whether from diabetic rats without sexual problems or with sexual problems—were less effective than healthy stem cells. This suggests that diabetes changes the quality and effectiveness of stem cells, making them less capable of healing tissue damage. The finding that even stem cells from diabetic rats without sexual problems were less effective than healthy stem cells suggests that diabetes affects stem cell function even before sexual problems develop

Previous research on this topic had shown conflicting results about whether stem cells from diabetic people could effectively treat diabetes-related sexual dysfunction. This study provides clearer evidence by directly comparing three sources of stem cells in the same experiment. The finding that healthy stem cells work best aligns with general principles in regenerative medicine that suggest using high-quality cells produces better outcomes. However, this is one of the first studies to systematically compare these three specific sources

This research was conducted entirely in laboratory rats, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The study did not specify how many rats were in each treatment group, making it difficult to assess whether the results are statistically reliable. The study only measured outcomes at one time point (28 days), so it’s unclear whether benefits last longer or improve over time. The research also did not test whether the treatment works for all types of diabetes or only specific types. Finally, the study did not compare stem cell treatment to other existing treatments for diabetes-related sexual dysfunction, so it’s unclear how effective this approach is compared to current options

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, men with diabetes may want to discuss with their doctors whether preserving healthy stem cells early could be beneficial as a preventive strategy. However, this is preliminary research, and human clinical trials are needed before this becomes a standard medical recommendation. Current treatments for diabetes-related sexual dysfunction should continue to be discussed with healthcare providers. Confidence level: Low to Moderate (animal study only, human evidence needed)

This research is most relevant to men with diabetes who are concerned about sexual dysfunction, and to researchers developing new treatments for this condition. Men without diabetes do not need to act on this information at this time. Men with diabetes should not stop taking current medications or treatments based on this research alone. Healthcare providers specializing in diabetes care and sexual health should be aware of this emerging research direction

In this animal study, improvements were observed within 28 days of stem cell injection. However, if this treatment were to be developed for humans, it would likely take 5-10 years of additional research and clinical trials before it could become available. Realistic expectations for any new treatment would involve gradual improvement over weeks to months, not immediate results

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users could track sexual function using a simple weekly score (1-10 scale) and note any changes in frequency of sexual activity or satisfaction levels. This creates a baseline for discussing with healthcare providers
  • Users with diabetes should focus on proven diabetes management strategies: monitoring blood sugar levels daily, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking medications as prescribed. These actions may help prevent sexual dysfunction from developing in the first place
  • Long-term tracking should include regular diabetes control metrics (blood sugar levels, A1C tests), blood pressure monitoring, and periodic check-ins about sexual health with healthcare providers. Users should also track lifestyle factors like exercise frequency and diet quality, as these directly impact both diabetes control and sexual function

This research is preliminary animal study data and has not been tested in humans. Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction is not currently an approved treatment in most countries. Men with diabetes-related sexual dysfunction should continue working with their healthcare providers and use proven treatments. Do not stop taking current medications or treatments based on this research. Anyone interested in stem cell preservation or experimental treatments should consult with qualified medical professionals about risks, benefits, and current availability. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.