Transcriptomic Analysis of Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction Rats After Red Blood Cell Exosome Treatment

Background: As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise each year, increasing attention is focused on its complications, including erectile dysfunction (ED). However, effective therapeutic agents for diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) are often inadequate. Exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles containing proteins and MicroRNAs, demonstrated remarkable capabilities in modulating pathophysiological processes related to tissue repair, anti-inflammatory responses, and immune regulation.

Methods: Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to investigate gene alterations and associated pathways in the penile smooth muscle of DMED rats, both before and after exosome treatment. And the genes (Rxra, PPAR-γ, and CPt1a) related to the PPAR pathway were verified through qRT-PCR.

Results: Results show that 13,947 genes were expressed in both the DMED group and the Exo group. Analysis of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways revealed significant enrichment in the Exo group for molecular pathways including PPAR and cAMP signaling. These genes are primarily involved in immune regulation and Collagen deposition biological processes within the smooth muscle of the penis in DMED rats.

Conclusions: Transcriptome analysis revealed important genes and pathways that regulate various biological processes. These findings offer a novel approach for decreasing Collagen deposition in this tissue.