Related Experiment Videos
Dimethyl sulfoxide does not trigger urine histamine release in interstitial cystitis
L Stout1, J M Gerspach, S M Levy
1Department of Urology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Urology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) instillation for interstitial cystitis (IC) does not appear to stimulate mast cell degranulation. The study found no significant change in urine histamine levels, suggesting other mechanisms are responsible for symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition causing bladder pain and discomfort.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used intravesically for symptomatic relief in IC patients.
- The mechanism of DMSO's therapeutic effect in IC remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if DMSO instillation stimulates mast cell degranulation in IC patients.
- To determine if DMSO treatment leads to histamine release, a marker of mast cell activation.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure urinary histamine levels.
- Twelve women with IC received intravesical DMSO instillations.
- Urine histamine to creatinine ratio was assessed before and after treatment to correct for dilution.
Main Results:
- The RIA method was not affected by the presence of DMSO.
- No consistent change in the urine histamine:creatinine ratio was observed after DMSO instillation.
- No temporal trend in histamine levels was detected during the treatment period.
Conclusions:
- DMSO treatment for IC does not appear to trigger mast cell degranulation via histamine release.
- The symptomatic benefits of DMSO in IC are not explained by this mast cell activation pathway.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action for DMSO in IC treatment.