Detrusor myocyte activity and afferent signaling.
1Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. karl-erik.andersson@klinfarm.lu.se
Spontaneous bladder muscle contractions and nerve activity contribute to overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO). Targeting these mechanisms offers potential new drug treatments for OAB and DO.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The bladder exhibits myogenic activity during filling, independent of parasympathetic input.
- Spontaneous myocyte contractions and local mediators influence bladder afferent nerve activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mechanisms of bladder myocyte contractions and afferent nerve activity.
- To identify these mechanisms as potential therapeutic targets for overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO).
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on myocyte activation, bladder afferent nerves, and mediators.
- Analysis of translational aspects of findings for drug development.
Main Results:
- Bladder tone and non-synchronized contractions arise from basal myogenic activity, potentially enhanced by acetylcholine, prostaglandins, and endothelins.
- Spontaneous contractions may generate "afferent noise," contributing to OAB and DO.
Conclusions:
- Modulating spontaneous bladder myocyte contractions is a viable therapeutic strategy.
- Targeting afferent nerve activity resulting from these contractions may treat OAB and DO.
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