Pioglitazone improves pelvic ganglion neuronal survival

Abstract

Cavernosal nerve injury is a common complication after radical prostatectomy and causes erectile dysfunction (ED). Our recent publication established that pioglitazone (PGZ) improves cavernosal nerve function after crush injury in the rat model by both neural protection and neuroregeneration. This result is clinically significant for the many men who undergo treatment for localized prostate cancer. A better understanding of the effects of PGZ on pelvic ganglion neurons after cavernosal nerve injury is warranted. In this Research Highlight, we discuss the implications of our investigation from a molecular and clinical perspective.