ADSCs-VEGF increased cavernous smooth muscle content in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

<p>Masson’s trichrome staining (A) and semi-quantitative evaluation (B) of smooth muscle/collagen ratio in the cavernous tissue showed this ratio was lower in PBS-treated diabetic rats than age-matched normal rats and was improved by ADSCs or lentivirus-VEGF or ADSCs-VEGF treatment. Scale bar = 50 µm; *<i>p</i><0.05, **<i>p</i><0.01. C: Immunofluorescent staining of cavernous tissue was performed with α-actin and smoothelin in age-matched control rats and STZ-induced DED rats treated with PBS or ADSCs or lentivirus-VEGF or ADSCs-VEGF. Scale bar = 50 µm. D: Representative Western blot for a-actin and smoothelin in normal rats and STZ-induced DED rats after 1 weeks and 4 weeks treatment with PBS, ADSCs, lentivirus-VEGF, or ADSCs-VEGF. E: Quantitative analysis of immunoblotting using Quantity One® software. *<i>p</i><0.05, **<i>p</i><0.01.