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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model
Published on: June 23, 2015
Homeopathic medicine Cantharis modulates uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC)-induced cystitis in susceptible mice
Cidéli de Paula Coelho1, Priscilla Dias Motta2, Mariana Petrillo2
1Paulista University (UNIP), Research Center, Av José Maria Whitaker, 290, São Paulo, Brazil; University of Santo Amaro (UNISA), Rua Professor Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
This is a random blinded placebo controlled murine experimental model to study the effects of Cantharis 6 CH, a homeopathic medicine, on E coli-induced cystitis.
Methods:
24 adult susceptible female BALB/c mice were inoculated with E coli - UPEC O4:K-:H5 by a transurethral catheter. Cantharis 6cH or vehicle (placebo) was offered to mice by free access into the drinking water (1:100), during 24 h after infection. Spleen, bladder and kidneys were processed for quantitative histopathology after immunohistochemistry, using anti-CD3, CD79, MIF, NK and VEGF antibodies; the cytokines present in the bladder washing fluid were measured using a LUMINEX-Magpix KIT. Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact test were used as statistical analysis.
Results:
Cantharis 6 CH increased IL12p40, IFN-γ and decreased IL10 concentrations in the bladder fluid (p⩽0.05); in the bladder mucosa, it increased the ratio between B and T lymphocytes (31%) and between B lymphocytes and MIF+ macrophages (57%, p⩽0.05). In the pelvis, instead, it decreased the B/T cells ratio (41%, p⩽0.05) and increased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio (42%, p⩽0.05). No differences were seen in the kidney and spleen analysis.
Conclusion:
The inverted balance of inflammatory cells and cytokines in bladder and pelvis mucosa shows specific local immune modulation induced by Cantharis 6cH.
