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Bladder Hyperactivity Induced by Chronic Variable Stress in Rats.
Dong Youp Han1, Hee Jong Jeong1, Moon Young Lee2
1Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
|December 15, 2015
Summary
Chronic variable stress in rats led to bladder hyperactivity, with increased pressure and reduced volume. This dysfunction is linked to altered expressions of RhoA/Rho-kinase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS).
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Chronic stress is a prevalent issue with potential systemic health impacts.
- Bladder dysfunction can significantly affect quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic variable stress (CVS) on bladder function in a rat model.
- To examine the expression of contractile-associated proteins in the urinary bladder following CVS.
Main Methods:
- Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 6-week chronic variable stress protocol or served as controls.
- Awake cystometry was performed to measure key bladder function parameters.
- Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and RhoA/Rho-kinase.
Main Results:
- Rats exposed to CVS exhibited significantly higher basal and threshold pressures.
- Micturition duration, interval, and volume were significantly reduced in the CVS group.
- CVS led to decreased nNOS expression and increased RhoA/Rho-kinase expression in the bladder.
Conclusions:
- Chronic variable stress induces bladder hyperactivity.
- Alterations in RhoA/Rho-kinase and nNOS pathways may underlie stress-induced bladder dysfunction.
