Evaluation of the role of neurolinins and urecholine hypersensitivity in an animal model of infravesical outflow obstruction

Improved model for the establishment and evaluation of detrusor overactivity in female Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE

To improve the model for establishment and evaluation of detrusor overactivity in female Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We ligated the perineal urethra of female Wistar rats and then performed filling cystometry. The probability of detrusor overactivity, bladder capacity, peak voiding pressure and histological changes were investigated.

RESULTS

Detrusor overactivity ratio of the obstruction group was 32.4%. Bladder capacity increased from 0.273 ± 0.036 mL in control group to 0.89 ± 0.19 mL in detrusor overactivity group (P < 0.001), and peak voiding pressure increased from 45.9 ± 4.1 cm.H2O to 63.5 ± 17.4 cm.H2O (P = 0.007). For obstruction group, compared to no detrusor overactivity rats, detrusor overactivity rats had higher bladder capacity (0.89 ± 0.19 mL versus 0.43 ± 0.09 mL, P < 0.001) and higher peak voiding pressure (63.5 ± 17.4 cm.H2O versus 44.8 ± 6.2 cm.H2O, P = 0.005). Detrusor overactivity rats were classified according to peak voiding pressure (49.2 ± 4.2 cm.H2O versus 80.8 ± 7.1cm.H2O, P < 0.001). Moreover, bladder weight increased significantly in detrusor overactivity rats (P = 0.003, P = 0.028) and detrusor histological hypertrophy was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligating perineal urethra and filling cystometry with intra-urethral cannula approach is a simple and easily reproducible method to establish and evaluate the model of detrusor overactivity in rats.

Changes of gap junctional cell-cell communication in overactive detrusor in rats

To evaluate the changes in intercellular communication through gap junctions in detrusor overactivity (DO), we studied 23 adult female Wistar rats with DO after partial outflow obstruction (DO group) and 13 sham-operated rats (control group). The two groups were compared by means of urodynamics, light and electron microscopy, expression of Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA genes with RT-PCR, Cx43 protein with Western blot analysis, and functional intercellular communication with scrape loading dye transfer (SLDT) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). The number of gap junctions and the expression of connexin mRNA and Cx43 protein were increased in DO rats, and intercellular communication through gap junctions increased after 6 wk of partial outflow obstruction as assessed with SLDT and FRAP techniques. The findings provide a theoretical rationale for using Cx43 antagonists and gap junction inhibitors in the treatment of patients with overactive detrusor secondary to partial bladder outflow obstruction.