Voiding function in obese and type 2 diabetic female rats.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMII) are prevalent conditions.
• Their impact on lower urinary tract (LUT) function is not fully understood.
• Female Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats offer a model to study these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the effects of obesity and DMII on LUT voiding function and anatomy.
• To investigate the specific contributions of obesity versus DMII to lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Urodynamic evaluation (cystometry, leak point pressure) in female Zucker lean, obese nondiabetic ZDF, and obese diabetic ZDF rats.
• Histological analysis of bladder, urethra, and vagina.
• Dietary intervention for 10 weeks prior to testing.

Main Results:

• Obese rats (both diabetic and nondiabetic) showed decreased bladder contraction pressure and increased filling volumes.
• Both obese groups exhibited higher voided volumes, less frequent urination, and increased residual urine.
• Histology revealed urethral sphincter fibrosis, bladder wall edema, and vasculopathy in obese rats.

Conclusions:

• Obesity significantly impairs lower urinary tract function and anatomy in female rats.
• Voiding dysfunction is evident in both obese and obese diabetic rats.
• Chronic obesity, rather than DMII itself, appears to be a major contributor to LUT dysfunction in this model.