RAPID INCREASE OF NGF, BDNF AND NT-3 MESSENGER-RNAS IN INFLAMED BLADDER

NERVE growth factor (NGF) is a mediator of hyperalgesia and has been p reviously associated with sensory and reflex changes after inflammatio n of the urinary bladder. A sensitive assay was developed to examine n eurotrophin gene expression after bladder inflammation by turpentine, which causes a short-lived inflammatory response. Two hours, but not 6 or 24 h after induction of inflammation, there were significant incre ases in levels of NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrop hin-3 mRNAs. NGF immunoreactivity was elevated with a similar time cou rse to its mRNA. Our results suggest that during bladder inflammation, endogenous NGF is rapidly up-regulated and released to mediating sens ory and reflex changes. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotro phin-3 may also have a role in the inflammatory response. (C) 1998 Rap id Science Ltd.