Artificial tissue developed by researchers allowed pigs with penis injuries to have erections. The work could lead to new treatments for men with ED.
The person is Sara Novak.
In pigs with an injured penis, artificial tissue was used to recreate the penis.
Matthew J Thomas is a stock photo.
The penises of pigs were injured and synthetic tissue was used to repair them. The tunica albuginea is a layer of tissue surrounding the corpora cavernosa that fills with blood during an erection. The researchers acknowledge that injuries outside of the tunica albuginea can cause ED.
Sometimes damage to the tunica albuginea can be repaired by taking tissue from other parts of the body and combining it with a network of molecules. The patch can be rejected by the immune system, and it isn't always effective in mimicking the tunica albuginea.
The artificial tunica albuginea was created using isotropic alcohol gel and a curled fibre structure.
A weighted balloon was used by the researchers to show that the artificial tunica doesn't bend.
The pigs had an injured tunica albuginea. When the organ was injected, the penises became erect.
The pigs didn't reject the artificial tissue up to a month later.
The researchers hope the artificial tissue will produce a similar sensation to that of an erection.
Anthony Atala says that the study shows that the artificial biomaterial created can adequately repair the defects. The technology is promising and warrants further work so it can be safely transitioned to humans.
An excessive alcohol intake and stress can contribute to ED. Damage to the corpora cavernosa can cause it.
Future research could lead to the development of artificial tissue that can overcome injuries to the other tissues involved in erections.
There is a journal reference called Matter.
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