ELEVATED NITRIC-OXIDE IN THE URINARY-BLADDER IN INFECTIOUS AND NONINFECTIOUS CYSTITIS

Objectives. A role for nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested in inflamm ation and host defense. At higher concentrations, this gas shows cytot oxic effects that may be directed against microorganisms, tumor cells as well as host cells. The aim of the present study was to study the r elationship between bladder mucosal inflammation and local production of NO. Methods. We measured NO directly in the urinary bladder in pati ents with infectious cystitis, interstitial cystitis, irradiation cyst itis, and cystitis induced by antitumor treatment with bacillus Calmet te-Guerin. NO-free air was introduced into the bladder during cystosco py. The air was aspirated after 5 minutes of incubation and injected i nto a chemiluminescence NO analyzer. Results. NO levels were 30 to 50 times higher in all varieties of cystitis as compared to controls. Con clusions. NO may contribute to host-defense mechanisms in the bladder during bacterial infection and antitumor treatment. Direct measurement of gaseous NO in the urinary bladder seems to be an attractive diagno stic method for detection of mucosal inflammation. Copyright 1996 by E lsevier Science Inc.