In the past few decades, treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) have evolved from chemical medications to surgical implants. However, most of these methods only address the symptoms and lack the ability to reverse the root causes of the condition. Now, a pioneering study suggests that perhaps we can achieve a true "cure" by "awakening the body's internal repair system."

This research, led by Professor Xia Shujie’s team from the Urology Department of Shanghai Jiaotong University’s First Affiliated Hospital, was published in the Chinese Medical Journal in 2020, Volume 100, Issue 26. The article focuses on an emerging treatment approach: "mechanical force-driven activation of endogenous stem cells."

A Revolution of "Force": Not Drugs, But Ultrasound

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a non-invasive form of physical energy, is gradually emerging in clinical applications. By releasing precise mechanical energy into the cavernous tissue of the penis, LIPUS induces local angiogenesis, promotes nerve repair, and most importantly—activates "dormant" stem cells within the body.

This "micro-force awakening" mechanism is known as the "mechanical force biological chain." It is not only a signaling pathway but also possibly a trigger for tissue self-repair. Unlike traditional PDE5 inhibitors (such as Viagra), which temporarily enhance blood flow to "rescue" the situation, LIPUS aims to rebuild damaged blood vessels, nerves, and smooth muscle, thereby "restoring natural erectile ability."

Data Speaks: Dual Validation from Experiments and Clinical Trials

The research team conducted experiments using diabetic rats, obesity models, and nerve damage models, finding that mechanical force intervention significantly improved erectile function. Particularly in the diabetic rat model, LIPUS increased intracavernous pressure (ICP), increased elastic fibers, enhanced angiogenesis factor expression, and significantly reduced fibrosis.

Even more encouraging, clinical research has also been underway.In clinical trials involving patients with mild to moderate ED, over 71% of participants regained natural erectile function without the need for medication after receiving LIPUS treatment, demonstrating the tremendous potential of non-pharmaceutical therapies in real-world populations.

Inside the Cells: Integrin Signaling and Stem Cell Recruitment Mechanism

The research revealed that LIPUS not only alters the physiological state of local tissues but also activates integrins on cell membranes, which sense mechanical signals and trigger a series of intracellular repair pathways such as PI3K/Akt and FAK-ERK. This mechanical stimulation also promotes endogenous stem cells to migrate to the damaged area and induces their differentiation into nerve cells, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, thus truly achieving "self-repair."

This means that LIPUS treatment for ED no longer relies on exogenous stem cell transplantation or drug intervention. With just a precise physical "force," it may guide the body's own regenerative mechanisms to function.

Looking Ahead: From Laboratory to Clinical Guidelines as the "Non-Pharmaceutical Gold Standard"

In expert consensus published by the Chinese Medical Association’s Andrology Branch and the Chinese Journal of Andrology, LIPUS has already been recommended as one of the "non-pharmaceutical gold standard" treatments for mild to moderate ED. This not only verifies its efficacy and safety but also represents a new treatment approach based on regenerative medicine that is rapidly moving toward clinical practice.

Professor Xia Shujie’s research provides critical theoretical support for LIPUS, opening a new door for the global transformation of male health treatment models.

• Professor Xia Shujie

• MD, Chief Physician, PhD Supervisor

• Vice President of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University

• Director of the Urology Research Institute and Clinical Medical Center

• President of the Chinese Medical Association Andrology and Sexual Medicine Branch

• Chairman of the Asian Society of Andrology

• Past President of the World Chinese Andrology Physicians Association

• President of the China Male Health Alliance

• Associate Editor of Asian Journal of Andrology and Chinese Medical Journal

• Researcher for 4 National Natural Science Foundation projects，Awarded the Shanghai Outstanding Discipline Leader Fund，Host of 7 Major Key Research Projects from Shanghai，Holder of 66 national patents, including 31 invention patents，Published 589 academic papers, including 118 SCI papers  

About WBL LIPUS Innovative Research

The innovative development of WBL LIPUS technology has been guided and promoted by the Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Guo Yinglu, in collaboration with Professor Lv Futai and Professor Lin Guiting’s teams at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Professor Xin Zhongcheng’s team at Peking University First Hospital. After years of international collaborative research, the best parameters for LIPUS treatment, including frequency, pulse intensity, and emission methods, have been determined. This research has built a complete theoretical mechanism and technological platform. At the same time, Professor Xia Shujie and Professor Li Zheng from the First Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University initiated the first multi-center, randomized controlled clinical study in China on LIPUS, systematically verifying the effectiveness and safety of LIPUS in functional rehabilitation under different treatment frequencies, providing strong support for the standardization and guideline development of this technology.

WBL LIPUS Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

The core mechanism of WBL LIPUS is to apply low-energy pulsed ultrasound (with an intensity range of 50-350 mW/cm²) to the cavernous tissue of the penis, activating endogenous stem cells, promoting angiogenesis and nerve regeneration, and repairing damaged blood vessels and nerve matrix, thus improving erectile function at the pathological level. Unlike traditional oral medications (such as PDE5 inhibitors), implantable prostheses, or invasive therapies (such as intracavernous injection), LIPUS does not rely on drugs or surgery, avoiding the side effects and inconvenience of repeated treatments.

WBL LIPUS

WBL LIPUS is sketching out a more natural, gentle, and fundamental blueprint for erectile dysfunction treatment. In the future, this "micro-energy medicine" based on the body's self-healing power may not only be applied to andrology but may also create a new wave of "non-invasive regeneration" in urology, rehabilitation, neurology, and even gynecology.

Reference:
Sun Menghao, Xia Shujie. Research Progress on the Activation of Endogenous Stem Cells via Mechanical Force Biological Chain in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Chinese Medical Journal. July 14, 2020, Vol. 100, No. 26, Natl Med J China, July 14, 2020, Vol. 100, No. 26.