Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis Is Associated with Hyperthyroidism

Background

Although the etiology of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is still unclear, a common theme with BPS/IC patients is comorbid disorders which are related to the autonomic nervous system that connects the nervous system to end-organs. Nevertheless, no study to date has reported the association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. In this study, we examined the association of IC/BPS with having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in Taiwan.

Design

Data in this study were retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Our study consisted of 736 female cases with BPS/IC and 2208 randomly selected female controls. We performed a conditional logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between cases and controls.

Results

Of the 2944 sampled subjects, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior hyperthyroidism between cases and controls (3.3% vs. 1.5%, p<0.001). The conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to controls, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.16 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27∼3.66). Furthermore, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.15∼3.53) compared to controls after adjusting for diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity, hyperlipidemia, chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, panic disorder, migraines, sicca syndrome, allergies, endometriosis, and asthma.

Conclusions

Our study results indicated an association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. We suggest that clinicians treating female subjects with hyperthyroidism be alert to urinary complaints in this population.     

Urinary Nerve Growth Factor Could Be a Biomarker for Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

To examine whether urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) could serve as a biomarker for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 9 studies. Among the studies considered, patients with IC/PBS had higher urinary NGF and NGF/Cr levels compared to those of healthy people (SMD = 1.94, 95%CI = 0.79–3.08, P = 0.0009 and SMD = 1.79, 95%CI = 0.65–2.93, P = 0.002, respectively). In addition, there was a significant difference between patients with IC/PBS and patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms with respect to the urinary NGF and NGF/Cr levels (SMD = −0.62, 95%CI = −1.00–−0.24, P = 0.001 and SMD = −0.70, 95%CI = −1.01–−0.39, P<0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, patients had a significantly lower urinary NGF level after successful treatment (SMD = 1.74, 95%CI = 0.32–3.17, P = 0.02). In conclusion, urinary NGF could be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of OAB, a urinary biomarker for the differential diagnosis of IC/PBS and OAB (when a critical urinary NGF or NGF/Cr level is needed), and a predictive biomarker to help guide treatment.     

Treating Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome as a Chronic Disease

The management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is both frustrating and difficult. The etiology is uncertain and there is no definitive treatment. Consequently, both patients and doctors tend to be unhappy and unsatisfied with the quality of care. The American Urological Association (AUA) provides a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of IC/BPS. Recommended first-line treatments include patient education, self-care practices, behavior modifications, and stress management. Management of IC/BPS may be also improved if both patients and doctors treat this condition as a chronic disease. This article reviews the AUA first-line treatments for IC/BPS and considers the benefits of treating this condition as a chronic disease.Key words: Interstitial cystitis, Bladder pain syndrome, Chronic disease, Autoimmune diseasesInterstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic, debilitating bladder disease. ¹ IC/BPS symptoms result in poor quality of life with sleep dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and stress.² Stress increases symptoms of pain and urgency in patients with IC/BPS.^3,4 Family relationships and responsibilities were adversely affected in 70% of IC/BPS patients according to one survey.³ Employment is difficult or impossible in 84% of IC patients.³ Many patients have persistent symptoms despite a variety of treatments. Narcotics are the most commonly prescribed class of medications for this condition.⁵ The direct cost of medical care for an IC patient is more than $11,000 per year.⁶ In 2011, the American Urological Association (AUA) provided guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of IC/BPS.⁷ The recommendation is that IC/BPS is best managed through the use of a logical algorithm. Treatment strategies should proceed using the more conservative therapies first. The first-line treatments should be performed on all patients and include patient education, self-care practices, behavior modifications, stress management, and coping techniques. However, the AUA guidelines offer limited explanation or references.Like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease, IC/BPS is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured.⁸ Chronic diseases such as these are among the most common and costly health problems, but they are also the most preventable and effectively treated diseases. In 2005, 133 million Americans (almost one out of every two adults) had at least one chronic disease.⁹ Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States, accounting for 70% of all deaths.¹⁰ Aside from causing physical suffering, chronic diseases place an enormous economic burden on our society. They account for $3 of every $4 spent on health care.¹¹ With an aging population, the incidence of chronic diseases will continue to rise. Because of the enormous human suffering and societal costs, much time and money has recently been expended on research, education, and pharmaceutical development for most chronic diseases. The human suffering and societal costs of IC/BPS warrant a similar standard of care.     

Health Care Service Utilization among Patients with Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis in a Single Payer Healthcare System

Background

This study aims to investigate the differences in the utilization of healthcare services between patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and patients without using a population-based database in Taiwan.

Methods

This study comprised of 350 patients with BPS/IC and 1,750 age-matched controls. Healthcare resource utilization was evaluated in the one-year follow-up period as follows: number of outpatient visits and inpatient days, and the mean costs of outpatient and inpatient treatment. A multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between BPS/IC and total costs of health care services.

Results

For urological services, patients with BPS/IC had a significantly higher number of outpatient visits (2.5 vs. 0.2, p<0.001) as well as significantly higher outpatient costs ($US166 vs. $US6.8, p<0.001) than the controls. For non–urologic services, patients with BPS/IC had a significantly high number of outpatient visits (35.0 vs. 21.3, p<0.001) as well as significantly higher outpatient cots ($US912 vs. $US675, p<0.001) as compared to the controls. Overall, patients with BPS/IC had 174% more outpatient visits and 150% higher total costs than the controls. Multiple-regression-analyses also showed that the patients with BPS/IC had significantly higher total costs for all healthcare services than the controls.

Conclusions

This study found that patients with BPS/IC have a significantly higher number of healthcare related visits, and have significantly higher healthcare related costs than age-matched controls. The high level of healthcare services utilization accrued with BPS/IC was not necessarily exclusive for BPS/IC, but may have also been associated with medical co-morbidities.     

Impaired Expression of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) Synthesis and Degradation Enzymes during Differentiation of Immortalized Urothelial Cells from Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Purpose

The differentiated superficial cells of the urothelium restrict urine flow into the bladder wall. We have demonstrated that urothelial cells isolated from bladders of patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) fail to release PGE₂ in response to tryptase. This study examines the expression of PGE₂ synthesis and degradation enzymes in urothelial cells during differentiation.

Materials and Methods

We measured immunoprotein expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ synthase (PGES) and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) in human urothelial cells and in immortalized urothelial cells isolated from the bladders of IC/PBS patients or normal subjects during stratification and differentiation produced by increased calcium and fetal bovine serum (Ca/FBS) in the culture medium for 1, 3 and 7 days.

Results

PGES immunoprotein expression increased during differentiation in normal and IC/PBS urothelial cells. COX-2 expression also increased in cells from normal patients following differentiation. Remarkably, no COX-2 expression was detectable in urothelial cells isolated from 3 out of 4 IC/PBS patients. PGDH immunoprotein expression decreased in normal cells after 1 and 3 days of Ca/FBS addition, but returned to normal after 7 days. PGDH expression was unchanged during differentiation at 1 and 3 days, but was more than 2-fold higher at 7 days compared to day 0 in the IC/PBS cells. Urothelial cells isolated from IC/PBS patients demonstrated no PGE₂ release in response to tryptase under any of the experimental conditions studied.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results indicate that PGE₂ release is compromised during stratification and differentiation in IC/PBS urothelium and may contribute to impaired barrier function.     

Increased Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines,C-Reactive Protein and Nerve Growth Factor Expressions in Serum of Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Objective

The etiology and pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are unclear. Chronic inflammation is considered the main pathology of IC/BPS. This study measured the serum c-reactive protein (CRP), nerve growth factor (NGF) and pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-8 expression in patients with IC/BPS to elucidate the involvement of systemic inflammation in IC/BPS.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from 30 IC/BPS patients and 26 control subjects. The concentrations of serum nerve growth factor (NGF), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 were quantified using a bead-based, human serum adipokine panel kit. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was also assessed. Differences of serum CRP, NGF, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 levels between the IC/BPS patients and controls were compared, and correlations between CRP and pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine were also evaluated.

Results

The results showed that CRP level (p = 0.031), NGF (p = 0.015) and pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokine IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in the patients with IC/BPS than among controls (all p<0.001). Significant associations were observed between IL-1β and IL-8 (p<0.001), IL-6 and CRP (p = 0.01), IL-6 and IL-8 (p = 0.02), and IL-6 and TNF-α (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Increased pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokine (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8) expression in the sera of IC/BPS patients implies not only mast cell activation, but also that other inflammatory mediators play important roles in the pathogenesis of IC/BPS. Thus, for some patients, IC/BPS is considered a chronic inflammatory disease.     

Spontaneous Autoimmunity in 129 and C57BL/6 Mice—Implications for Autoimmunity Described in Gene-Targeted Mice

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder in which complex genetic factors play an important role. Several strains of gene-targeted mice have been reported to develop SLE, implicating the null genes in the causation of disease. However, hybrid strains between 129 and C57BL/6 mice, widely used in the generation of gene-targeted mice, develop spontaneous autoimmunity. Furthermore, the genetic background markedly influences the autoimmune phenotype of SLE in gene-targeted mice. This suggests an important role in the expression of autoimmunity of as-yet-uncharacterised background genes originating from these parental mouse strains. Using genome-wide linkage analysis, we identified several susceptibility loci, derived from 129 and C57BL/6 mice, mapped in the lupus-prone hybrid (129 × C57BL/6) model. By creating a C57BL/6 congenic strain carrying a 129-derived Chromosome 1 segment, we found that this 129 interval was sufficient to mediate the loss of tolerance to nuclear antigens, which had previously been attributed to a disrupted gene. These results demonstrate important epistatic modifiers of autoimmunity in 129 and C57BL/6 mouse strains, widely used in gene targeting. These background gene influences may account for some, or even all, of the autoimmune traits described in some gene-targeted models of SLE.     

Novel Potential Interacting Partners of Fibronectin in Spontaneous Animal Model of Interstitial Cystitis

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the only spontaneous animal model for human interstitial cystitis (IC), as both possess a distinctive chronical and relapsing character. Underlying pathomechanisms of both diseases are not clearly established yet. We recently detected increased urine fibronectin levels in FIC cases. The purpose of this study was to gain further insight into the pathogenesis by assessing interacting partners of fibronectin in urine of FIC affected cats. Several candidate proteins were identified via immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Considerable changes in FIC conditions compared to physiological expression of co-purified proteins were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Compared to controls, complement C4a and thioredoxin were present in higher levels in urine of FIC patients whereas loss of signal intensity was detected in FIC affected tissue. Galectin-7 was exclusively detected in urine of FIC cats, pointing to an important role of this molecule in FIC pathogenesis. Moderate physiological signal intensity of galectin-7 in transitional epithelium shifted to distinct expression in transitional epithelium under pathophysiological conditions. I-FABP expression was reduced in urine and urinary bladder tissue of FIC cats. Additionally, transduction molecules of thioredoxin, NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK, were examined. In FIC affected tissue, colocalization of thioredoxin and NF-κB p65 could be demonstrated compared to absent coexpression of thioredoxin and p38 MAPK. These considerable changes in expression level and pattern point to an important role for co-purified proteins of fibronectin and thioredoxin-regulated signal transduction pathways in FIC pathogenesis. These results could provide a promising starting point for novel therapeutic approaches in the future.     

膀胱ICC细胞的研究现状和展望

膀胱ICC细胞(Interstitial cells of Cajal in bladder)早在上个世纪已被发现,与胃肠道ICC细胞同族,膀胱ICC以自发电活动为特性,源于胞内贮存钙离子释放和钙激活的氯同道开放引起自发短暂去极化。膀胱ICC细胞起初被理解为起搏细胞,其自发的电活动作为起搏器引起下游平滑肌的收缩,这种假说尚缺乏立足的直接证据,目前认为ICC细胞仅仅是膀胱平滑肌收缩活动的调节器,与上皮-传入神经以及神经-平滑肌的信号传递密切相关。病理状态下ICC细胞的作用似乎比生理状态下更为突出,例如膀胱过度活动症,多篇文献报道膀胱过度活动症患者膀胱的ICC细胞数目比正常增多,而且其平滑肌的收缩对酪氨酸激酶受体(tyrosine kinase receptor,c-Kit)拮抗剂格列卫更加敏感。未来膀胱ICC细胞的研究集中在阐明病理及生理状态下ICC的作用机制和信号通路。     

The Emerging Role of Autoimmunity in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/cfs)

The World Health Organization classifies myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/cfs) as a nervous system disease. Together with other diseases under the G93 heading, ME/cfs shares a triad of abnormalities involving elevated oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), activation of immuno-inflammatory pathways, and mitochondrial dysfunctions with depleted levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. There is also abundant evidence that many patients with ME/cfs (up to around 60 %) may suffer from autoimmune responses. A wide range of reported abnormalities in ME/cfs are highly pertinent to the generation of autoimmunity. Here we review the potential sources of autoimmunity which are observed in people with ME/cfs. The increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased levels of nuclear factor-κB predispose to an autoimmune environment. Many cytokine abnormalities conspire to produce a predominance of effector B cells and autoreactive T cells. The common observation of reduced natural killer cell function in ME/cfs is a source of disrupted homeostasis and prolonged effector T cell survival. B cells may be pathogenic by playing a role in autoimmunity independent of their ability to produce antibodies. The chronic or recurrent viral infections seen in many patients with ME/cfs can induce autoimmunity by mechanisms involving molecular mimicry and bystander activation. Increased bacterial translocation, as observed in ME/cfs, is known to induce chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Low ATP production and mitochondrial dysfunction is a source of autoimmunity by inhibiting apoptosis and stimulating necrotic cell death. Self-epitopes may be damaged by exposure to prolonged O&NS, altering their immunogenic profile and become a target for the host’s immune system. Nitric oxide may induce many faces of autoimmunity stemming from elevated mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization and blockade of the methionine cycle with subsequent hypomethylation of DNA. Here we also outline options for treatment involving rituximab and endotherapia.     

Autoimmunity against a tissue kallikrein in IQI/Jic Mice: a model for Sjogren's syndrome

We have recently characterized IQI/Jic mice as a model for Sjogren's syndrome (SS), a chronic autoimmune disease in humans. In SS, local lymphocytic infiltrations into salivary and lacrimal glands frequently develop to the involvement of systemic exocrine and nonexocrine organs, and the mechanism for progression of this disease remains obscure. Herein, we report identification of an autoantigen shared by various target organs in IQI/Jic mice. Polypeptides identified based on immunorecognition by autoantibodies in sera from IQI/Jic mice affected with autoimmune disease (>12 weeks of age) were tissue kallikrein (Klk)-1 and -13 and were cross-reactive to the autoantibodies. Interestingly, Klk-13, but not Klk-1, caused a proliferative response of splenic T cells from IQI/Jic mice from the age of 4 weeks onward. In addition, remarkably enhanced expression of Klk-13 was observed in the salivary glands of the mice in accordance with the development of inflammatory lesions. These results indicate that Klk-13 acts as an autoantigen and may increase T cells responsive to organs commonly expressing Klk-13, playing a pivotal role in the etiology of progression of disease in IQI/Jic mice. Our findings provide insights into the contributions of autoantigens shared by multiple organs in the progress of SS from an organ-specific to a systemic disorder.     

多参数MRI对腺性膀胱炎与膀胱癌的鉴别及膀胱癌病理分期的诊断价值分析

摘要 目的：分析多参数磁共振成像（MRI）对腺性膀胱炎与膀胱癌的鉴别及膀胱癌病理分期的诊断价值。方法：选取2019年2月～2023年2月本院收治50例腺性膀胱炎和50例膀胱癌患者进行研究,均采用MRI多参数[高分辨率T2加权图像（HR T2WI）、弥散加权成像（DWI）、动态强磁共振成像（DCE-MRI）]检查,分析腺性膀胱炎与膀胱癌的HR T2WI、DWI、DCE-MRI信号强度;以病理检查结果为诊断金标准,分析MRI参数单一诊断和联合诊断膀胱癌的正确病理分期检出率,并采用Kappa系数分析MRI多参数单一和联合诊断膀胱癌病理结果的一致性,同时计算MRI参数联合诊断在膀胱癌病理分期的诊断效能。结果：与腺性膀胱炎比较,膀胱癌HR T2WI、DWI、DCE-MRI高强度占比较高（P＜0.05）。与HR T2WI、DCE-MRI比较,T2WI+DWI+DCE-MRI正确分期诊断率较高（P＜0.05）。T2WI+DWI+DCE-MRI诊断膀胱癌分期与病理结果一致性很强,Kappa值＞0.80。HR T2WI+DWI+DCE-MRI对膀胱癌T1分期诊断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、诊断准确率分别为93.75%、94.44%、96.77%、89.47%、94.00%;T2分期分别为91.67%、94.74%、84.62%、97.30%、94.00%,T3分期分别为100.00%、93.48%、57.14%、100.00%、94.00%,T4分期分别为100.00%、93.75%、40.00%、100.00%、94.00%,≤T1 vs ≥T2分别为94.44%、93.75%、89.47%、96.77%、94.00,≤T2 vs ≥T3分别为100.00%、93.18%、66.67%、100.00%、94.00%。结论：MRI多参数信号强度可有效鉴别诊断腺性膀胱炎和膀胱癌,且多参数联合诊断可提升病理分期的诊断效能。     

Detrusor Myocyte Autophagy Protects the Bladder Function via Inhibiting the Inflammation in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis in Rats

Autophagy, a highly conserved homeostatic cellular process that removes and recycles damaged proteins and organelles in response to cellular stress, is believed to play a crucial role in the immune response and inflammation. The role of autophagy in bladder cystitis, however, has not well been clarified. Here we investigate the role of detrusor myocytes autophagy (DMA) in cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis animal model. 164 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three experimental groups and compared to three control groups, respectively. The expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), p-p70s6k (the phosphorylated form of ribosomal protein S6), SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2) in the bladder muscular layer were measured using western blot. The co-location of LC3, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and autophagic vacuoles were investigated with double-labeled immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of lL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the detrusor layer were analyzed using ELISA. The bladder inflammation and the number of mast cells in the muscular layer were analyzed by histology. The bladder function was evaluated using cystometry. In cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, autophagy was detected in detrusor myocytes by increased LC3, p-p70s6k expression, and autophagosomes. However, the presence of enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress in the cyclophosphamide-treated group suggest autophagy of detrusor myocytes may not be sufficiently activated. Inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly decreased and the bladder histology and micturition function were significantly improved with rapamycin (RAPA, autophagy agonist) pre-treatment. In contrast, inflammation and oxidative stress were dramatically increased and the bladder histology and function were negatively affected with chloroquine (CQ, autophagy blocker) pre-treated. These findings preferentially provide evidence of the association between DMA and cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in rats. The autophagy agonist RAPA significantly decreased the inflammation and protected the bladder function, which might be considered as a potential treatment for interstitial cystitis.     

Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice

Approximately 3-8 million people in the United States suffer from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a debilitating condition characterized by increased urgency and frequency of urination, as well as nocturia and general pelvic pain, especially upon bladder filling or voiding. Despite years of research, the cause of IC/BPS remains elusive and treatment strategies are unable to provide complete relief to patients. In order to study nervous system contributions to the condition, many animal models have been developed to mimic the pain and symptoms associated with IC/BPS. One such murine model is urinary bladder distension (UBD). In this model, compressed air of a specific pressure is delivered to the bladder of a lightly anesthetized animal over a set period of time. Throughout the procedure, wires in the superior oblique abdominal muscles record electrical activity from the muscle. This activity is known as the visceromotor response (VMR) and is a reliable and reproducible measure of nociception. Here, we describe the steps necessary to perform this technique in mice including surgical manipulations, physiological recording, and data analysis. With the use of this model, the coordination between primary sensory neurons, spinal cord secondary afferents, and higher central nervous system areas involved in bladder pain can be unraveled. This basic science knowledge can then be clinically translated to treat patients suffering from IC/BPS.     

Heterogeneity of Ovarian Theca and Interstitial Gland Cells in Mice

It has been established that two developmentally and functionally distinct cell types emerge within the mammalian testis and adrenal gland throughout life. Fetal and adult types of steroidogenic cells (i.e., testicular Leydig cells and adrenocortical cells) develop in the prenatal and postnatal period, respectively. Although the ovary synthesizes steroids postnatally, the presence of fetal-type steroidogenic cells has not been described. We had previously established transgenic mouse lines in which fetal Leydig cells were labeled with an EGFP reporter gene by the FLE (fetal Leydig enhancer) of the Ad4BP/SF-1 (Nr5a1) gene. In the present study, we examined the reporter gene expression in females and found that the reporter gene is turned on in postnatal ovaries. A comparison of the expressions of the EGFP and marker genes revealed that EGFP is expressed in not all but rather a proportion of steroidogenic theca and in interstitial gland cells in the ovary. This finding was further supported by experiments using BAC transgenic mice in which reporter gene expression recapitulated endogenous Ad4BP/SF-1 gene expression. In conclusion, our observations from this study strongly suggest that ovarian theca and interstitial gland cells in mice consist of at least two cell types.     

Urinary Bladder Dysfunction in Transgenic Sickle Cell Disease Mice

Background

Urological complications associated with sickle cell disease (SCD), include nocturia, enuresis, urinary infections and urinary incontinence. However, scientific evidence to ascertain the underlying cause of the lower urinary tract symptoms in SCD is lacking.

Objective

Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate urinary function, in vivo and ex vivo, in the Berkeley SCD murine model (SS).

Methods

Urine output was measured in metabolic cage for both wild type and SS mice (25-30 g). Bladder strips and urethra rings were dissected free and mounted in organ baths. In isolated detrusor smooth muscle (DSM), relaxant response to mirabegron and isoproterenol (1nM-10μM) and contractile response to (carbachol (CCh; 1 nM-100μM), KCl (1 mM-300mM), CaCl₂ (1μM-100mM), α,β-methylene ATP (1, 3 and 10 μM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS; 1-32 Hz) were measured. Phenylephrine (Phe; 10nM-100μM) was used to evaluate the contraction mechanism in the urethra rings. Cystometry and histomorphometry were also performed in the urinary bladder.

Results

SS mice present a reduced urine output and incapacity to produce typical bladder contractions and bladder emptying (ex vivo), compared to control animals. In DSM, relaxation in response to a selective β3-adrenergic agonist (mirabegron) and to a non-selective β-adrenergic (isoproterenol) agonist were lower in SS mice. Additionally, carbachol, α, β-methylene ATP, KCl, extracellular Ca²⁺ and electrical-field stimulation promoted smaller bladder contractions in SS group. Urethra contraction induced by phenylephrine was markedly reduced in SS mice. Histological analyses of SS mice bladder revealed severe structural abnormalities, such as reductions in detrusor thickness and bladder volume, and cell infiltration.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data demonstrate, for the first time, that SS mice display features of urinary bladder dysfunction, leading to impairment in urinary continence, which may have an important role in the pathogenesis of the enuresis and infections observed the SCD patients.     

腺性膀胱炎及膀胱癌中livin 和caspase-9 的表达

目的:研究在腺行膀胱炎(cystitis glandularis,CG)以及膀胱癌(bladder carcinoma,BC)中livin和caspase-9的表达,探讨腺性膀胱炎与膀胱癌可能存在的关系。方法:收集哈尔滨医科大学附属第三医院2014年1月~2014年10月住院患者60例组织石蜡标本,应用SP(streptavidin-perosidase)法检测livin和caspase-9在腺性膀胱炎组织(30例)、膀胱癌组织(30例)和正常组织(30例)中的表达。结果:正常膀胱、CG和BC组织中livin阳性表达率分别为0/30,9/30(30%)和14/30(46.67%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);caspase-9在正常膀胱、CG和BC组织中的阳性表达率分别20/30(66.67%),15/30(50%),3/30(10%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腺性膀胱炎可能是正常膀胱组织向膀胱腺癌发展的一个中间阶段,在CG向BC发展过程中livin和caspase-9的异常表达具有普遍性,临床上应积极治疗并密切随访,并可将livin和caspase-9作为诊断早期膀胱癌的检测指标。     

小鼠胃 Cajal 间质细胞分离与培养实验方法探讨

目的:尝试优化体外培养Balb/c小鼠胃Cajal间质细胞(interstitial cells of Cajal,ICC)的实验方法,为深入探索该细胞的生理病理作用机制提供基础。方法:无菌条件下取出小鼠胃组织,使用酶解法消化分离细胞,将细胞悬液接种于含有SCF(干细胞因子)的M199培养基中培养,并进行传代。倒置显微镜下观察不同时间段细胞生长状态,采用ICC特异性标志物c-Kit(酪氨酸激酶受体)进行免疫荧光鉴定。结果:细胞培养24 h后基本已贴壁,呈梭形或三角形,有短突起;72 h后细胞胞体变大,突起伸长;5 d后,细胞之间通过突起彼此相互连接,开始形成网状结构;传代后细胞依然保持其固有特征。免疫荧光鉴定可见细胞c-Kit抗体荧光染色阳性。结论:使用酶解法成功分离细胞,细胞数量较多但不增殖,传代后可见细胞纯度较好,稳定培养3周以上后细胞形态逐渐发生变化并开始凋亡。