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Specialized pro-resolution mediators in the bladder: effects of resolvin E1 on diabetic bladder dysfunction in the
Anissa Cervantes1, Francis M Hughes2, Huixia Jin1
1Department of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, P.O. Box 3831, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
Background:
One of the most common, but least studied, diabetic complication is diabetic bladder dysfunction. Current therapies include glucose control and symptom-based interventions. However, efficacy of these therapies is mixed and often have undesirable side effects. Diabetes is now known to be a chronic inflammatory disease. Specialized pro-resolving mediators are a class of compounds that promote the resolution of inflammation and have been shown to be effective in treating chronic inflammatory conditions. In this study we examine the ability of resolvin E1 to improve signs of diabetic bladder dysfunction.
Methods:
Male Akita mice (Type 1 diabetic) develop hyperglycemia at 4 weeks and signs of bladder underactivity by 15 weeks. Starting at 15 weeks, mice were given one or two weeks of daily resolvin E1 and compared to age-matched wild type and untreated Akita mice.
Results:
Resolvin E1 did not affect diabetic blood glucose after one week, although there was a slight decrease after two weeks. Diabetes decreased body weight and increased bladder weights and this was not affected by resolvin E1. Evan's blue dye extravasation (an indirect index of inflammation) was dramatically suppressed after one week of resolvin E1 treatment, but, surprisingly, had returned to diabetic levels after two weeks of treatment. Using cystometry, untreated Akita mice showed signs of underactivity (increased void volumes and intercontraction intervals). One week of resolvin E1treatment restored these cystometric findings back to control levels. After two weeks of treatment, cystometric changes were changed from controls but still significantly different from untreated levels, indicating a durable treatment effect even in the presence of increased inflammation at 2 weeks.
Conclusions:
Resolvin E1 has a beneficial effect on diabetic bladder dysfunction in the type 1 diabetic male Akita mouse model.
Insights
Resolvin E1 improves diabetic bladder dysfunction in mice by reducing inflammation and restoring bladder function. This specialized pro-resolving mediator shows promise for treating this common diabetic complication.
Area of Science:
- Diabetology
- Urology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Diabetic bladder dysfunction is a common complication with limited treatment options.
- Current therapies for diabetic bladder dysfunction offer mixed efficacy and side effects.
- Diabetes is recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of resolvin E1 in a mouse model of type 1 diabetic bladder dysfunction.
- To assess resolvin E1's impact on inflammation and bladder function in diabetic mice.
Main Methods:
- Male Akita mice (type 1 diabetic) were treated daily with resolvin E1 for one or two weeks, starting at 15 weeks of age.
- Comparisons were made to age-matched wild-type and untreated Akita mice.
- Assessments included blood glucose, body and bladder weights, inflammation (Evan's blue dye), and bladder function (cystometry).
Main Results:
- Resolvin E1 transiently reduced blood glucose and suppressed inflammation after one week.
- Bladder underactivity, characterized by increased void volumes, was significantly improved by one week of resolvin E1 treatment.
- A durable treatment effect on bladder function was observed after two weeks, despite returning inflammation levels.
Conclusions:
- Resolvin E1 demonstrates beneficial effects on diabetic bladder dysfunction in a type 1 diabetic mouse model.
- The findings suggest resolvin E1's potential as a novel therapeutic agent for diabetic bladder complications.
- Targeting inflammation with specialized pro-resolving mediators may offer a new strategy for managing diabetic bladder dysfunction.

