A Preclinical Study of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Detrusor Underactivity by Chronic Bladder Ischemia

Can Urinary Bladder Innervation Be Restored After Outlet Obstruction and Denervation?

Transurethral resection of the prostate, or other methods to decrease outlet resistance usually leads to relief of symptoms in patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). If symptoms of underactivity persist after normalization of outflow conditions, treatment options are limited. In this review, we hypothesize, based on results from basic research, what might become treatment options for such patients in the future. The primary local treatment will still aim at reducing outlet obstruction. We speculate that local secondary treatment in the future might include transplantation of stem cells or mature bladder ganglion cells into the bladder wall. There has been some success in transplanting ganglion cells into the rat bladder. The ganglion cells will sprout into the surrounding tissue but functional connections between the axons of the transplanted neurons, and the detrusor smooth muscle have so far not been demonstrated. Neurotrophins or neurotrimin might be injected into the bladder wall to increase the sprouting of existing or transplanted neurons. Stem cell transplantation has been performed and improves detrusor function, but it has so far, been difficult to demonstrate transplanted stem cells. BOO, persisting detrusor underactivity, and decreased nerve density are often combined with inflammatory activity of the lower urinary tract. NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and its messenger RNA (mRNA) as well as cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) mRNA are increased in obstructed bladders. Systemic treatment with the NLRP3 inhibitor glyburide normalized nerve density in rat bladder, and, to some extent, bladder function. It is unclear whether Cox-2 is involved in the decreased nerve density following obstruction, but Cox-2 mRNA increases 5-fold in obstructed bladder. Future therapy against bladder underactivity remaining following relief of obstruction includes either systemic treatment, perhaps by anti-inflammatory drugs, or local treatment by injection of stem cells, mature ganglion cells, and/or neurotrophins or neurotrimin into the bladder wall.

Underactive Bladder and Detrusor Underactivity: New Advances and Prospectives

Underactive bladder (UAB) is a prevalent but under-researched lower urinary tract symptom that typically occurs alongside detrusor underactivity (DU). Unlike UAB, DU is a urodynamic diagnosis which the International Continence Society (ICS) defines as "a contraction of reduced strength and/or duration, resulting in prolonged bladder emptying and/or a failure to achieve complete bladder emptying within a normal time span". Despite the widespread prevalence of UAB/DU, there are significant gaps in our understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment compared with overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO). These gaps are such that clinicians regard UAB/DU as an incurable condition. In recent years, the understanding of UAB has increased. The definition of UAB has been clarified, and the diagnostic criteria for DU have been considered more comprehensively. Meanwhile, a number of non-invasive diagnostic methods have also been reported. Clinical trials involving novel drugs, electrical stimulation, and stem cell therapy have shown promising results. Therefore, this review summarizes recent reports on UAB and DU and highlights the latest advances in their diagnosis and treatment.

A positive association between the prevalence of circadian syndrome and overactive bladder in United States adults

Objective

To explore the association between the prevalence of circadian syndrome (CircS) and overactive bladder (OAB).

Materials and methods

Cross-section analysis was based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018. Data regarding OAB was collected from questionnaires. The association between the prevalence of CircS and OAB was elucidated using three multivariable logistic regression models. Stratified and interaction analyses were performed to find whether some factors can modify the association.

Results

Totally 8,033 males and 8,065 females were included. People with CircS had a significantly higher prevalence of OAB compared to the non-CircS group in the fully-adjusted model (OR = 1.238, 95%CI 1.080-1.419). A significant positive correlation between the number of CircS components and the prevalence of OAB was observed when the components were ≥ 6 (OR = 1.975, 95%CI 1.463-2.665). No significant interaction was seen in the three models.

Conclusion

There is a positive association between the prevalence of CircS and OAB. When the number of components is ≥6, the prevalence of OAB shows a strongly positive correlation with the number of CircS components.

Safety of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Interstitial Cystitis: A Phase I Study

There are still no definite treatment modalities for interstitial cystitis (IC). Meanwhile, stem cell therapy is rising as potential alternative for various chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the safety of the clinical-grade mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), code name MR-MC-01 (SNU42-MMSCs), in IC patients. Three female IC patients with (1) symptom duration >6 months, (2) visual pain analog scale (VAS) ≥4, and (3) one or two Hunner lesions <2 cm in-office cystoscopy within 1 month were included. Under general anesthesia, participants received cystoscopic submucosal injection of SNU42-MMSCs (2.0 × 107/5 mL) at the center or margin of Hunner lesions and other parts of the bladder wall except trigone with each injection volume of 1 mL. Follow-up was 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Patients underwent scheduled follow-ups, and symptoms were evaluated with validated questionnaires at each visit. No SNU42-MMSCs-related adverse events including immune reaction and abnormalities on laboratory tests and image examinations were reported up to 12-month follow-up. VAS pain was temporarily improved in all subjects. No de novo Hunner lesions were observed and one lesion of the first subject was not identifiable on 12-month cystoscopy. This study reports the first clinical application of transurethral hESC-derived MSC injection in three patients with IC. hESC-based therapeutics was safe and proved to have potential therapeutic efficacy in IC patients. Stem cell therapy could be a potential therapeutic option for treating IC.

Activated and nonactivated MSCs increase survival in humanized mice after acute liver injury through alcohol binging

The ability of the liver to regenerate after injury makes it an ideal organ to study for potential therapeutic interventions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess self-renewal and differentiation properties, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that make them an ideal candidate for therapy of acute liver injury. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the potential for reversal of hepatic injury using human umbilical cord-derived MSCs. Secondary aims include comparison of various methods of administration as well as comparison of activated versus nonactivated human umbilical cord stem cells. To induce liver injury, humanized mice were fed high-cholesterol high-fat liquid diet with alcohol binge drinking. Mice were then treated with either umbilical cord MSCs, activated umbilical cord MSCs, or a placebo and followed for survival. Blood samples were obtained at the end of the binge drinking and at the time of death to measure alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Histology of all mouse livers was reported at time of death. Activated MSCs that were injected intravenously, intraperitoneally, or both routes had superior survival compared with nonactivated MSCs and with placebo-treated mice. AST and ALT levels were elevated in all mice before treatment and improved in the mice treated with stem cells. Conclusion: Activated stem cells resulted in marked improvement in survival and in recovery of hepatic chemistries. Activated umbilical cord MSCs should be considered an important area of investigation in acute liver injury.