Fibroblasts Role in Mediating Erections
June 20, 2024
Recent research out of Sweden suggests that fibroblasts, a common cell in connective tissue, uptake the chemical messenger norepinephrine to widen blood vessels for mediating erections. Scientists at the Karolinska Institute and Uppsala University used optogenetics to determine these connective tissue cells play a major role in regulating blood flow to the penile pillars.
Fibroblasts are the most common cell type represented in connective tissue throughout the human body. These cells are responsible for producing a diverse group of tissue products including collagen. As the workhorse of connective tissues, these widely-spaced fibrous proteins and gelatinous ground substances join to support all other tissues.
The ground substance is a hydrated gel of proteoglycans interspersed among the structural proteins that forms a final pathway for nutrient flow and intercellular communication. The adhesive proteins form a structural connection between cells and the extracellular matrix. In addition to connecting with the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts are responsible for its maintenance and reabsorption.
In response to wound healing, fibroblasts play a crucial role in the healing of injured tissue by rebuilding the extracellular matrix as a scaffold for regenerating new tissue. Examples of fibroblastic cells are found in connective tissue throughout the body, including blood, fat, skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. In homeostasis, this abundant cell type creates the basic framework for tissues and organs.
Support for the growth of new blood vessels...
Angiogenesis is the natural growth of blood vessels from pre-existing vessels in the vascular system. The vasculature, also called the circulatory system, is made up of vessels that carry blood and lymph fluid all over using the body’s pre-existing arteries and veins to deliver oxygen and nutrients to bodily tissues. Inflammation can trigger angiogenesis. In turn, the formation of new blood vessels enhances tissue inflammation. When oxygen sensing mechanisms demand the formation of new blood vessels to satisfy metabolic requirements, fibroblasts interact with endothelial cells to construct tubes through the ground substance of connective tissue.
Fibroblasts Regulate Penile Blood Flow
Two cylindrical sponge-like structures in the penis form the corpora cavernosa. During sexual arousal, impulses increase the blood flow to both the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosum to stiffen or harden the penis. In some cases, a weak erection or total erectile dysfunction may be due to any number of factors including fear of intimacy, depression, anxiety, certain medications, tiredness, or consuming too much alcohol, as well as the buildup of plaque affecting blood flow.
Except for one major difference, the basic mechanisms for obtaining an erection is similar in all mammals. Humans, unlike most other animals, do not have a bone in their penis, which means an efficient and effective blood flow is even more crucial for getting and maintaining hardness for penetrative sex. The Swedish researchers were able to ascertain that number of fibroblasts in the penis of mice (and men) directly correlated to the frequency of erections and vice versa.
It wasn’t surprising to discover that older mice had fewer fibroblasts in the penile tissue that resulted in less blood flow to the cavernosa pillars. This is comparable in humans as most men’s ability to get an erection decreases with age. Considering that this too is due to fewer fibroblasts available, it begs to question whether it is possible to increase the number fibroblasts through some type of erection workout. But, there’s still much to be learned before the new knowledge is successfully applied.
Rock hard instantly...
If a man’s penis is functioning properly, he can get an erection at virtually any time with the right sexual stimulation. Erectile triggers can include direct stimulation of the genitalia or neural stimuli such as sexual fantasies, smells, and erotic videos or sounds. In other words, just about anything that the male brain associates with pleasure can produce an instant hard on, as long as the penile mechanisms are working in unison.
Clinical studies have identified nitric oxide as the key molecular mediator that triggers an erection. Prolonged erections are the result of an abnormal flow and retention of blood in the penis that produces a buildup of pressure in the penile pillars. Although the immediate reason for a long-lasting erection may not be known or fully understood at the time, the most common cause today is the side effect of taking ED medications like PDE5 inhibitors to regulate signaling pathways for smooth muscle contraction and relaxation.
Fibrous Penile Plaques Restrict Blood Flow
Although researchers had previously thought fibroblasts were composed of similar cells (homogeneous), the Swedish scientists uncovered distinct cell types (heterogeneous) conducting different functions by eliciting distinct genomes. Since fibroblasts in the corpora cavernosa support widening of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure by reducing availability of norepinephrine, penile blood flow can depend on the number of fibroblasts available.
The effect of achieving an erection results in the temporary down-regulation of Notch signaling to increase the number of fibroblasts for increased blood flow. On the other hand, natural aging or a lower erection frequency reduces the number of fibroblasts and lowers blood flow. It has been well documented that the ability to achieve suitable erections is important for a man’s sexual well-being at all ages, so the results observed in aged mice should be applicable to human erectile mechanisms.
No doubt, the role of corpora cavernosa fibroblasts to mediate erections is a promising find. However, additional research studies are needed to better understand how these mechanisms for wound healing will impact future treatment protocols for both erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease when abnormal scarring or excess collagen leads to the excessive accumulation of fibrous plaque. Nonetheless, more frequent erections appear beneficial for a man’s sexual health.
“The good news is there are effective treatments available like low-intensity shock wave therapy,” says Dr. Earl Eye* a board-certified physician who specializes in men’s sexual health care and age-management medicine. “Ideal candidates are men with mild to moderate Peyronie’s disease and those with vasculogenic ED who have had some success with PDE5 medications or other ED treatments.” Schedule your appointment at GAINSWave Jacksonville today and find out if shockwave therapy is right for you.
___________________
*Earl Eye, M.D., FACCP, is a men’s healthcare physician with multiple medical specialties and over forty years of experience in treating male patients. At his Jacksonville practice, he conducts a thorough exam to identify the most probable cause of your performance issues and recommends the best treatment options based on your specific medical problem. He is experienced in helping men manage many organic etiologies like vascular issues, painful penile curvature, neurogenic problems, side effects from medical treatments and medications as well as endocrinological issues, such as hypogonadism or Low-T.
