Urinary transforming growth factor-beta 1 levels correlate with bladder outlet obstruction

Background: Urinary transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels hav e been shown to correlate with elevated intrapelvic pressure associated wit h ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Other studies have evaluated urinary TGF-beta1 levels in prostate cancer. This study tests the hypothesis that u rinary TGF-beta1 levels might correlate with objective measures of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Methods: Twenty-three men (age: 46-85 years) with lower urinary tract sympt oms underwent urodynamic studies consisting of non-invasive uroflowmetry, c ystometrogram and voiding pressure flow studies. Patients were classified a s obstructed (n = 17) or not obstructed (n = 6) based on Abrams-Griffith no mograms. Urinary TGF-beta1 was extracted from an aliquot of urine obtained at the time of bladder catheterization for urodynamic studies. Urinary TGF- beta1 levels were then determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELI SA). Results: There was a strong correlation between urinary TGF-beta1 levels an d the presence of obstruction by Abrams-Griffith nomogram criteria (P = 0.0 25). Urinary TGF-beta1 levels were significantly higher in men with obstruc tion (0.039+/-0.011 pg/mL) than in men without obstruction (0.029 +/- 0.009 pg/mL; P = 0.036). Conclusion: Urinary TGF-beta1 levels correlate with objective measures of B OO. Further study is needed to test the utility of urinary TGF-beta1 as a n on-invasive diagnostic tool for BOO.