Astragalus Polysaccharides Ameliorate Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction via Normalization of Neuromuscular Conduction

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Urology
• Diabetology

Background:

• Underactive bladder (UAB) is a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM).
• Current pharmacological treatments for diabetic UAB are limited.
• Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) from *Astragalus membranaceus* show promise for diabetes and its complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects and mechanism of APS on high-fat-diet-induced (HFD) diabetic UAB in mice.
• To evaluate APS's impact on neuromuscular conduction and neurotransmission in diabetic UAB.

Main Methods:

• Induction of diabetic UAB in mice using a high-fat diet (HFD).
• Administration of APS to HFD-induced diabetic mice.
• Assessment of glycemic control (fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR).
• Evaluation of bladder function parameters (capacity, residual volume, compliance, pressures, voiding efficiency).
• Analysis of detrusor muscle neuromuscular contraction and neurotransmitter levels (nNOS, VIP, ChAT, SP).

Main Results:

• APS significantly reduced hyperglycemia and improved insulin resistance in HFD mice.
• APS treatment normalized bladder capacity, compliance, pressures, and voiding efficiency.
• APS ameliorated hyporesponsiveness in purinergic and cholinergic-mediated detrusor contractions.
• APS modulated neurotransmission by downregulating nNOS and VIP, and upregulating ChAT and SP.

Conclusions:

• Astragalus polysaccharides ameliorate diabetic-induced underactive bladder.
• APS normalizes neuromuscular conduction, improving detrusor muscle function and neurotransmission.
• APS represents a potential therapeutic agent for managing diabetic UAB.