Protective Effects of Antimuscarinics on the Bladder Remodeling After Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Overactive bladder associated with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a highly prevalent condition, which is usually treated with antimuscarinics. However, the potential effects of antimuscarinics on the structure and function of bladder have not been investigated thus far.

Sprague-Dawley(R) rats accepted bladder neck obstruction surgery or sham surgery, and then received treatment of three different antimuscarinics (Solifenacin, Darifenacin, and Tolterodine) or vehicle. After 3, 6 and 12 weeks, the bladder function and structure were measured. The effect of antimuscarinics on cellular alteration in vitro was observed under mechanical stimulation. Bladder morphology were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the bladder function were investigated by cystometry and strip contractility test. The expression of muscarinic receptors and inflammatory cytokines were measured by PCR and Western blotting.

Here we demonstrate, both in vitro and in vivo, that antimuscarinics are protective regulators for the bladder structure and function. Antimuscarinics decrease the weight of bladders with BOO. Antimuscarinics improve the voiding parameter and enhance the contraction of bladder smooth muscle. The results also show that antimuscarinics inhibit the proliferation of bladder smooth muscle cells both in vivo and in vitro, it can reduce the collagen deposition and inflammatory cytokines in bladders with BOO. During this process, the expression of M2 and M3 receptors was altered by antimuscarinics.

Antimuscarinics could reverse the structural and functional changes of BOO bladder wall at cellular and tissue level, and the alteration of M2 and M3 receptors may be involved in this biological process.