Sophisticated models and methods for studying neurogenic bladder dysfunction

Abstract

AimTo describe how the use of new and established animal models and methods can generate vital and far reaching experimental data in the study of mechanism underlying neurogenic bladder overactivity.MethodsBladder and colonic irradiated mice and those with upper and lower motor neuron lesions were used to study neurogenic bladder overactivity. Methods included cystometry, tension measurements, afferent nerve recordings and optical mapping of action potentials and intracellular Ca2+ transients. Recordings were made in a number of innovative preparations including in‐line cultured cells, bladder‐urethra sheets and cross‐sections, spinal cord slices and the cerebral cortex.ResultsThe animal models and methods used allow for the study of peripheral and central mechanisms of neurogenic overactivity. While colonic irradiation results in solely neurogenic dysfunction, spinal cord lesions also induce non‐neural changes resulting in increased spontaneous detrusor contractions that can directly stimulate afferent nerves. Imaging of cultured bladder interstitial cells reveals spontaneous firing that could contribute to detrusor overactivity, while optical imaging of the spinal cord and brain could identify changes in central pathways that underlie lower urinary tract dysfunction.ConclusionsThe animal models and methods described allow for the study of neurogenic overactivity at the peripheral, spinal and cortical levels. This may lead to greater understanding of sensory and motor mechanisms involved in incontinence, the contributions of interstitial cells and spontaneous detrusor contractions, and the involvement of the cortex. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:658–667, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Enhanced Susceptibility to Urinary Tract Infection in the Spinal Cord-Injured Host with Neurogenic Bladder

“…Most studies have used this animal model of SCI to examine spinal cord regeneration and functional recovery (reviewed in references 6 and 7). A number of groups have investigated the neurogenic bladder phenotype in SCI rats and have demonstrated that the urodynamic profiles in these animals are similar to those seen in humans with SCI or spinal dysraphism (8)(9)(10). This suggests that the SCI rat may be a useful system for modeling UTI with neurogenic bladder.…”

Changes in detrusor excitability and C-kit, connnexin-43 expression in rats after spinal cord injuries

“…Under such a condition, animal models seem to lend particular significance to the task (BieringSorensen et al, 2009;Krogh et al, 2009;Kanai et al, 2011). Till now, scholars have not reached an agreement on whether bladder dysfunction is caused by neurogenic or myogenic factors.…”

What are the origins and relevance of spontaneous bladder contractions? ICI‐RS 2017

“…18 Imaging of Ca 2+ signaling across the bladder wall suggests that this activity may be initiated by Ca 2+ transients that originate in the mucosa. 19 Spontaneous contractions are enhanced by the mucosa, particularly if hypertrophied, for example in animals with neurogenic overactivity. 20 An unresolved issue is the nature of communication between mucosa and detrusor, this may be due to diffusion of contractile agonists or via cell-to-cell contacts.…”