Spinal glycinergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurons inhibit the micturition reflex after electrical stimulation of the perineum in rats with pelvic venous congestion

The effect of amino acids on the bladder cycle: a concise review

The human bladder maintains a cycle of filling, storing, and micturating throughout an individual's lifespan. The cycle relies on the ability of the bladder to expand without increasing the intravesical pressure, which is only possible with the controlled relaxation of well-complaint muscles and the congruously organized construction of the bladder wall. A competent bladder outlet, which functions in a synchronous fashion with the bladder, is also necessary for this cycle to be completed successfully without deterioration. In this paper, we aimed to review the contemporary physiological findings on bladder physiology and examine the effects of amino acids on clinical conditions affecting the bladder, with special emphasis on the available therapeutic evidence and possible future roles of the amino acids in the treatment of the bladder-related disorders.

Dietary glycine improves urine storage symptoms in urology outpatients

OBJECTIVES

Spinal glycinergic mechanisms inhibit the micturition reflex, and administration of glycine inhibits bladder activity in rats. Therefore, we examined whether dietary glycine would improve storage symptoms in urological outpatients.

METHODS

We enrolled 20 participants (16 men and four women) with an overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) ≥ 3. All participants took 3 g of glucose (placebo) twice a day for the first four weeks, then 3 g of glycine twice a day for the next four weeks. We evaluated blood pressure, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), nocturia quality of life (N-QOL) score, OABSS, frequency of urination, sleep latency, time to first nighttime void, bladder pain, global self-assessment (GSA) evaluated urinary symptom improvement, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Glucose administered as a placebo improved urinary frequency, urine force on the IPSS, and five of the 13 items on the N-QOL. However, compared to the results before and after glucose administration, glycine treatment decreased the number of nocturnal voids, urgency, and total score for urine storage items on the IPSS. It also reduced blood pressure and improved IPSS-QOL. For the OABSS, improvements with glycine were noted in the number of nocturnal urinations, urinary urgency, urge incontinence, and total score. For the N-QOL, eight of 13 items, and the total score, improved. The actual number of nighttime urinations, sleep latency, latency to first nighttime urination, bladder pain, and GSA also improved. There were no adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycine might improve urine storage symptoms, cardiovascular function, pain, and sleep.