Effects of benzalkonium chloride application on the rat bladder. A functional and histopathological study

To establish a new bladder denervation model for bladder augmentation, using benzalkonium chloride (BCl) treatment, and to characterize the normal and treated rat bladder both urodynamically and immunohistochemically.

Adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups, and the bladders were treated with a local application of 0.3% BCl for 30 min in the denervation group and saline in the control group. Before and at the 8th week after treatment, cystometry was performed in all rats, and results were recorded. The bladders were removed and whole-mount sections were prepared, and also evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

BCl-treated rats showed a significant increase in bladder capacity (p < 0.05), but no significant change was observed in other cystometric parameters (p > 0.05) when compared with control rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed none or very few nerve fibers within the BCl-treated bladders.

The present study showed that denervation caused by BCl is useful for augmentation of the rat bladder. Bladder capacity was increased by the local application of BCl without impairing bladder functions. This method with a better understanding of the effects of BCl may be useful for augmentation in patients who have neurogenic bladder with low capacity.