Cold stress induces lower urinary tract symptoms

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Cold stress exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including urgency and nocturia.
• The underlying mechanisms of cold-induced detrusor overactivity remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and utilize a rat model to investigate the mechanisms of cold stress-induced detrusor overactivity.
• To explore potential therapeutic targets for cold-exacerbated LUTS.

Main Methods:

• Induction of cold stress in conscious rats by rapid temperature transfer (27°C to 4°C).
• Assessment of detrusor overactivity parameters (basal pressure, voiding interval, volume, capacity).
• Pharmacological and physiological investigations of involved pathways (C-fiber, alpha1-adrenergic receptors, TRPM8 channels, sympathetic nervous system).

Main Results:

• Cold stress induced detrusor overactivity, characterized by increased basal pressure and reduced voiding efficiency.
• This overactivity is mediated by resiniferatoxin-sensitive C-fibers, alpha1-adrenergic receptors, and Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channels.
• Sympathetic nervous system activation correlated with hypertension and decreased skin temperature.

Conclusions:

• Alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonists show potential for treating cold-induced LUTS.
• Traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Hachimijiogan) may alleviate LUTS by modulating skin temperature and TRPM8 channel activity.
• The developed rat model offers a platform for investigating novel therapeutics for cold-related LUTS.