Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells therapy on bilateral pelvic nerve crush-induced voiding dysfunction in rats

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology
• Stem Cell Therapy

Background:

• Neurogenic voiding dysfunction is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery.
• This condition significantly impairs patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on neurogenic voiding dysfunction in male rats.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of BMSC treatment in restoring bladder function.

Main Methods:

• Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent bilateral pelvic nerve crush (BPNC) surgery.
• Groups included sham operation, BPNC with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection, and BPNC with BMSC injection.
• Functional and morphological assessments were performed four weeks postoperatively.

Main Results:

• BPNC induced voiding dysfunction, characterized by increased non-voiding contractions, post-void residual, and bladder capacity, with decreased intravesical pressure and voiding efficiency.
• BMSC treatment significantly improved these parameters compared to PBS injection.
• Histological analysis revealed reduced bladder wall fibrosis (collagen deposition) and modulated protein expression (TGF-β1, Smad2/3, collagen I/III, α-SMA, vesicular acetylcholine transporters) following BMSC therapy.

Conclusions:

• BMSC therapy effectively suppressed detrusor fibrosis.
• Intrabladder BMSC injection partially restored voiding function in rats with neurogenic voiding dysfunction.
• BMSCs offer a promising therapeutic strategy for post-surgical neurogenic bladder.