Preventive Effects of Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Treatment on Urinary Bladder and Kidney Damage in Spinal Cord Injured Rats

Abstract

IntroductionOne of the main causes of a neurogenic bladder is spinal cord injury (SCI),(SCI), which induces little or no bladder reflex activity. Because of this alteration, there is an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections and kidney damage. Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment has been shown to improve micturition in a rat model of SCI.AimThe present study was aimed at determining whether GnRH administration is capable to reduce bladder and kidney damage in rats with SCI.MethodsOvariectomized female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham, SCI with saline solution (SCI), and SCI treated with GnRH (SCI+GnRH) for 6 weeks. SCI was induced by compression at the T10 spinal level. At the end of the experiment, bladders and kidneys were processed for morphological and immunofluorescence analysis. For morphometric analysis, the thickness of the urothelium and the muscular layer of the bladder was measured, as well as the intensity of staining related to collagen in the kidney.ResultsAt the end of the experiment, all animals in the sham group showed normal urination (100%), in contrast, the percentage of untreated injured rats (SCI) that did not require manual stimulation for micturition was 19%, while the treated group (SCI+GnRH) was 68%. A significative increase in bladder weight, urothelial and muscle thickness, and collagen‐related coloration in the kidney was observed in SCI when compared to sham rats.ConclusionGnRH administration decreased damage to the urinary bladder and kidneys after SCI in rats. These results suggest that this hormone could be a potential preventive treatment for SCI patients at risk of neurogenic bladder and kidney damage.Trial RegistrationNot applicable.