Stem Cells: The New Viagra?

From face to breasts to knees, fat is arguably one of the most innovative aesthetic and functional fixes around. The latest intriguing application? Fat grafting for ED – erectile dysfunction. Stem cell pioneers at the California Stem Cell Treatment Center have entered the arena of urology. For anyone familiar with adipose-derived stem cells, it makes perfect sense: When stem cells are introduced to a new organ, they first seek to vascularize any new tissue they create. This is why so many doctors are reporting success with stem-cell rich fat grafts. The stem cells create capillary systems that keep the new fat alive (fat grafts without stems cells would lose up to 50% of their volume). “The main cause for erectile dysfunction is micro-vascular breakdown,” says CSCTC co-medical director Mark Berman, MD, which means the male organ can’t engorge. “The adipose stem cells have shown to grow back blood vessels.” So far the center has injected only a handful of volunteer patients, and the results are a couple of months away. But if the results are consistent, says Dr. Berman, more formal studies won’t be far behind.

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