Exogenous glycosaminoglycans coat damaged bladder surfaces in experimentally damaged mouse bladder

Abstract

Background: Interstital cystitis is often treated with exogenous glycosaminoglycans such as heparin, chondroitin sulphate (Uracyst), hyaluronate (Cystistat) or the semi-synthetic pentosan polysulphate (Elmiron). The mechanism of action is presumed to be due to a coating of the bladder surface to replace the normally present chondroitin sulphate and heparan sulphate lost as a result of the disease. This study used fluorescent labelled chondroitin sulphate to track the distribution of glycosaminoglycans administered intravesically to mouse bladder that had been damaged on the surface.

The Distribution and Function of Chondroitin Sulfate and Other Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans in the Human Bladder and Their Contribution to the Protective Bladder Barrier

“…There is evidence that exogenously applied CS can bind to damaged urothelium. 22,23 However, to our knowledge this was the first study in which the function of endogenous sulfated GAGs in the bladder was investigated by TEER measurement. This evidence was lacking despite the abundant use of GAG replenishment therapy at urological clinics.…”

Differentiation-induced uroplakin III expression promotes urothelial cell death in response to uropathogenic E. coli

“…Bladder damage was induced in mice using dilute HCl [23]. To remove superficial urothelium but retain intermediate and basal layers, mice (n=3) were anesthetized with isoflurane and instilled via transurethral catheter with 10 mM HCl or PBS for 10 minutes, followed by rinsing with 0.1 M sodium bicarbonate.…”

Vesical instillations of hyaluronic acid to reduce the acute vesical toxicity caused by high-dose brachytherapy do not affect the survival: a five-year follow-up study

“…The absorption of HA is minimal; after instillation, high concentrations are reached in direct contact with the vesical mucosa, which makes it an effective treatment [5]. What is more, the fact that it is a natural component of the extracellular matrix means that it does not produce allergic reactions and is therefore safe to use.…”