Changes in detrusor and urinary growth factors according to detrusor function after partial bladder outlet obstruction in the rat

Objectives. To investigate the changes in detrusor and urinary growth facto rs according to detrusor function after partial bladder outlet obstruction in the rat. Growth factors have been reported to play a role in the remodel ing of the bladder after obstruction. Methods. Female rats (n = 40) were used and divided into three groups: sham -operated control, 2-week mild obstruction, and 2-week severe obstruction. The voided urine was collected and the detrusor contractility to electrical stimulation recorded, mRNA expression and the urinary concentration of tra nsforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) and basic fibroblast growth fact or (bFGF) were analyzed. Results. The contractile response to electrical stimulation was increased i n the mild obstruction group (P <0.05) but decreased in the severe obstruct ion group (P <0.05). The detrusor mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 in the mild obstruction group was not different from that in the control group. However , in the severe obstruction group, the mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 increas ed. The detrusor mRNA expression of bFGF wits gradually increased in the mi ld and severe obstruction groups. The urinary concentration of TGF-beta1 in the mild obstruction group was not significantly different from that in th e control group. However, in the severe obstruction group, the concentratio n of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased (P <0.05). The concentration of urinary bFGF was too small to compare the results in each group. Conclusions. Growth factors such as TGF-<beta>1 and bFGF change in mRNA exp ression according to bladder function, and urinary TGF-beta1 reflects the c hange of detrusor mRNA. Thus, changes in TGF-beta1 may be a marker to evalu ate detrusor function. UROLOGY 57: 371-375, 2001. (C) 2001, Elsevier Scienc e Inc.