Clinical Relevance of Bladder Histopathological Findings and Their Impact on Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: An Investigation of the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis Histopathological Classification.

PURPOSE: We investigate the clinical significance of European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) bladder histopathological classification and its impact on treatment outcomes among patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder biopsy specimens obtained from severe, treatment refractory interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome cases were analyzed by a single pathologist blinded to clinical data. Inflammatory cell infiltration and urothelium denudation, eosinophil infiltration, plasma cell infiltration, lamina propria hemorrhage and granulation in specimens were evaluated separately. Patients with at least 1 histopathological finding were classified as ESSIC type C, with the rest being classified as ESSIC type A. Current overall treatment outcomes were determined via telephone interview. RESULTS: Bladder specimens were obtained from 352 patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Bladder inflammation, urothelium denudation, eosinophil and plasma cell infiltration, lamina propria hemorrhage and granulation were present in 69.6%, 44.6%, 9.1%, 15.3%, 4.8% and 5.1% of the bladder specimens, respectively. Approximately 78.7% of the patients included were ESSIC type C and had a smaller cystometric bladder capacity and higher bladder pain compared to ESSIC type A. Although individual histopathological findings were not associated with treatment outcome, a higher proportion of ESSIC type A patients had worse, unchanged or less than 25% improvement outcomes compared to ESSIC type C (43.1% vs 25.8%, p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Bladder histopathological findings were associated with clinical parameters and differences in patient reported treatment outcomes. Accordingly, patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome who had no remarkable bladder histopathological findings had less favorable treatment outcomes compared to those who did.

Decreased urothelial cytoskeleton and cell proliferation protein expression suggest interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients with Hunner's lesion and grade 3 glomerulation might be different from other types of patients.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the expression of cytoskeletal and cell proliferation proteins in urothelial cells of patients diagnosed with various clinical subtypes of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. METHODS: Biopsy specimens from 85 interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients were classified according to findings on cystoscopy. Cytokeratins and cell proliferation proteins detected in the specimens were evaluated with immunofluorescence staining and quantified with western blotting. A total of 22 patients diagnosed with pure stress urinary incontinence were enrolled as controls. RESULTS: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients with Hunner's lesion and with grade 3 glomerulation hemorrhage had smaller bladder capacities than the other interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients without Hunner's lesion. Diminished expression of CK14, CK20, cell proliferation protein tumor protein 63, sonic hedgehog, and fibroblast growth factor receptors 3 and 4, and increased expression of CK5 and BCL2-associated X protein were observed in biopsy specimens from patients with Hunner's lesion compared with those from patients without Hunner's lesion and controls. In the patients with grade 3 glomerulation hemorrhage, lower expression levels of urothelial CK20, tumor protein 63 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4, and lower expression of CK5 and BCL2-associated X protein were detected compared with other types of NHIC. CONCLUSION: A diminished expression of proliferation proteins tumor protein 63 and the mature urothelium marker CK20, and increased expression of the immature marker CK5 in specimens from both Hunner's lesion and grade 3 glomerulation hemorrhage patients can be observed. The urothelium of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome might be in a state of persistent or chronic injury that could relate to the limited expression of cell proliferation proteins.

Characteristics of the accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus muscle: a Taiwanese study.

PURPOSE: The main tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) muscle attaches to the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx of the great toe. One or multiple accessory tendons of the EHL have been reported in several ethnic/regional groups, except Taiwan. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, length, and insertion of the accessory tendon of the EHL in Taiwanese people. METHODS: Anatomical dissection was performed on 48 feet of 24 formalin-embalmed cadavers. The occurrence and morphological characteristics of the accessory tendon of the EHL were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The accessory tendon of the EHL was found in 97.92% (47/48) of the legs that were dissected. In one male cadaver, an independent muscle belly was identified in each leg, whereas all the other accessory tendons originated from the main tendon of the EHL. In this study, the insertion of the accessory tendon were classified into four patterns. The most common insertion sites were the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint capsule and proximal phalanx of the great toe. The length of the accessory tendons did not correlate with age or with sex when the two tendons with independent muscle belly were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: The accessory tendon of the EHL appears to be a regular feature in Taiwanese people. Most accessory tendons of the EHL (85.7%) attached on the first MTP joint capsule may play a role in the prevention of capsular impingement during great toe extension.

Urine cytokines as biomarkers for diagnosing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and mapping its clinical characteristics.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic values of urine cytokines in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and to identify their correlations with clinical characteristics. Urine samples were collected from 127 patients with IC/BPS [European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) types 1 and 2] and 28 controls. Commercially available multiplex immunoassays (MILLIPLEX map kits) were used to analyze 31 targeted cytokines. Cytokine levels between patients with IC/BPS and controls were analyzed using ANOVA. Receiver-operating characteristic curves of each cytokine to distinguish IC/BPS from controls were generated for calculation of the area under the curve. Patients with IC/BPS had urine cytokine profiles that differed from those of controls. Between patients with ESSIC type 1 and 2 IC/BPS, urine cytokine profiles were also different. Among cytokines with high diagnostic values (i.e., area under the curve > 0.7) with respect to distinguish patients with ESSIC type 2 IC/BPS from controls, regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1ß, and IL-8 were of higher sensitivity, whereas macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), and eotaxin-1 were of higher specificity. In multivariate logistic regression models controlling for age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus, the urine cytokines with high diagnostic values (MCP-1, RANTES, CXCL10, IL-7, and eotaxin-1) remained statistically significant in differentiating IC/BPS and controls. MCP-1, CXCL10, eotaxin-1, and RANTES were positively correlated with glomerulation grade and negatively correlated with maximal bladder capacity. In conclusion, patients with IC/BPS had urine cytokine profiles that clearly differed from those of controls. Urine cytokines might be useful as biomarkers for diagnosing IC/BPS and mapping its clinical characteristics.

Lipophagy prevents activity-dependent neurodegeneration due to dihydroceramide accumulation in vivo.

Dihydroceramide desaturases are evolutionarily conserved enzymes that convert dihydroceramide (dhCer) to ceramide (Cer). While elevated Cer levels cause neurodegenerative diseases, the neuronal activity of its direct precursor, dhCer, remains unclear. We show that knockout of the fly dhCer desaturase gene, infertile crescent (ifc), results in larval lethality with increased dhCer and decreased Cer levels. Light stimulation leads to ROS increase and apoptotic cell death in ifc-KO photoreceptors, resulting in activity-dependent neurodegeneration. Lipid-containing Atg8/LC3-positive puncta accumulate in ifc-KO photoreceptors, suggesting lipophagy activation. Further enhancing lipophagy reduces lipid droplet accumulation and rescues ifc-KO defects, indicating that lipophagy plays a protective role. Reducing dhCer synthesis prevents photoreceptor degeneration and rescues ifc-KO lethality, while supplementing downstream sphingolipids does not. These results pinpoint that dhCer accumulation is responsible for ifc-KO defects. Human dhCer desaturase rescues ifc-KO larval lethality, and rapamycin reverses defects caused by dhCer accumulation in human neuroblastoma cells, suggesting evolutionarily conserved functions. This study demonstrates a novel requirement for dhCer desaturase in neuronal maintenance in vivo and shows that lipophagy activation prevents activity-dependent degeneration caused by dhCer accumulation.

Epstein-Barr Virus as a Potential Etiology of Persistent Bladder Inflammation in Human Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is characterized by bladder inflammation without bacterial infection. Although viral infection is a potential etiological cause, few studies have been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder specimens were obtained from patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and from patients with stress urinary incontinence as controls. Bladder specimens were tested for Epstein-Barr encoded RNAs by in situ hybridization and for Epstein-Barr DNA by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, serology and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Enrolled in study were 16 patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and Hunner lesions, 23 without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or Hunner lesions and 10 controls. The positive rate of Epstein-Barr encoded RNA on in situ hybridization in bladder specimens from patients with vs without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and Hunner lesions was 50% vs 8.6%. No Epstein-Barr encoded RNA was found in control specimens. On quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction Epstein-Barr DNA was detected in 68.8% vs 16.7% of bladder specimens in patients with vs without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and Hunner lesions. The median viral load was 1,836 copies per ml (range 216 to 75,144). Only 1 control specimen was Epstein-Barr positive on quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All serum samples from patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome showed past Epstein-Barr viral infection. Epstein-Barr infection was present in 87.5% vs 17.4% of bladder specimens from patients with vs without interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and Hunner lesions for a total of 46.2% with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Immunohistochemical staining of CD3 and CD20 revealed that Epstein-Barr infection was mainly restricted to T lymphocytes in bladders showing interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder Epstein-Barr infection in T cells may be linked to the pathogenesis of persistent inflammation in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

Antibacterial performance of nanoscaled visible-light responsive platinum-containing titania photocatalyst in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Traditional antibacterial photocatalysts are primarily induced by ultraviolet light to elicit antibacterial reactive oxygen species. New generation visible-light responsive photocatalysts were discovered, offering greater opportunity to use photocatalysts as disinfectants in our living environment. Recently, we found that visible-light responsive platinum-containing titania (TiO2-Pt) exerted high performance antibacterial property against soil-borne pathogens even in soil highly contaminated water. However, its physical and photocatalytic properties, and the application in vivo have not been well-characterized. METHODS: Transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum and the removal rate of nitrogen oxides were therefore analyzed. The antibacterial performance under in vitro and in vivo conditions was evaluated. RESULTS: The apparent quantum efficiency for visible light illuminated TiO2-Pt is relatively higher than several other titania photocatalysts. The killing effect achieved approximately 2 log reductions of pathogenic bacteria in vitro. Illumination of injected TiO2-Pt successfully ameliorated the subcutaneous infection in mice. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration of in vivo antibacterial use of TiO2-Pt nanoparticles. When compared to nanoparticles of some other visible-light responsive photocatalysts, TiO2-Pt nanoparticles induced less adverse effects such as exacerbated platelet clearance and hepatic cytotoxicity in vivo. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings suggest that the TiO2-Pt may have potential application on the development of an antibacterial material in both in vitro and in vivo settings.

The role of pgaC in Klebsiella pneumoniae virulence and biofilm formation.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as one of the major pathogens for community-acquired and nosocomial infections. A four-gene locus that had a high degree similarity with Escherichia coli pgaABCD and Yersinia pestis hmsHFRS was identified in K. pneumoniae genomes. The pgaABCD in E. coli encodes the envelope-spanning Pga machinery for the synthesis and secretion of poly-ß-linked N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG). In a limited number of phylogenetically diverse bacteria, PNAG was demonstrated to mediate biofilm formation and had a role in the host-bacteria interactions. The presence of conserved pgaABCD locus among various K. pneumoniae strains suggested a putative requirement of PNAG for this bacterium. RESULTS: In this study, an in-frame deletion of pgaC was generated in K. pneumoniae CG43 and named ΔpgaC. The loss of pgaC affected the production of PNAG and attenuated the enhancement of in vitro biofilm formation upon the addition of bile salts mixture. In mouse models, ΔpgaC exhibited a weakened ability to colonize the intestine, to disseminate extraintestinally, and to induce a systemic infection when compared to K. pneumoniae CG43. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that pgaC participated in the bile salts induced biofilm formation and was required for K. pneumoniae virulence in vivo.

The Evaluation of Teleost-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Introduction Gonorrhea has become an emerging sexually transmitted infection worldwide. The multi-antibiotic resistance facilitates the transmission; thus, new antibiotics or alternatives are needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are antimicrobials naturally secreted by the host as a defense material. Teleost-derived AMP have gained attention over the past two decades due to their potent efficacy toward microorganisms. This study examines teleost-derived AMP against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), the responsible bacteria for gonorrhea, to evaluate the antibiotic potential as a future alternative for preventing gonorrhea. Methods Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time-killed assay were conducted to evaluate the inhibition concentration of each AMP. Transmission electron microscopy was used to confirm the potential mode of action. The inhibition of microcolony formation and adherence to epithelial cells were examined to assess the infection inhibition. Results Pardaxin-based (flatfish pardaxin {PB2}) and piscidin-based (striped bass piscidin 1 {PIS} and tilapia piscidin {TP} 4) AMP were effective toward GC under or equal to 7.5 µg/mL as of minimal inhibitory concentration. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that these AMP attack bacterial membranes as membrane blebbing and breakage were observed. These AMP also effectively reduced the GC biofilm formation, as well as their adherence to human endocervical epithelial cells. Conclusion Pardaxin-based (PB2) and piscidin-based (PIS and TP4) teleost-derived AMP can inhibit GC and potentially serve as the new antibiotic alternative for preventing GC colonization and infection. This study will shed some light on the future development of teleost-derived AMP in treating gonorrhea and maintaining reproductive health.

Common dietary emulsifiers promote metabolic disorders and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in mice.

Dietary emulsifiers are linked to various diseases. The recent discovery of the role of gut microbiota-host interactions on health and disease warrants the safety reassessment of dietary emulsifiers through the lens of gut microbiota. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and mono- and diglycerides (MDG) emulsifiers are common dietary emulsifiers with high exposure levels in the population. This study demonstrates that sucrose fatty acid esters and carboxymethylcellulose induce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in a mouse model. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC disrupt glucose homeostasis in the in vitro insulin-resistance model. MDG impairs circulating lipid and glucose metabolism. All emulsifiers change the intestinal microbiota diversity and induce gut microbiota dysbiosis. Lecithin, sucrose fatty acid esters, and CMC do not impact mucus-bacterial interactions, whereas MDG tends to cause bacterial encroachment into the inner mucus layer and enhance inflammation potential by raising circulating lipopolysaccharide. Our findings demonstrate the safety concerns associated with using dietary emulsifiers, suggesting that they could lead to metabolic syndromes.

Origin variations and brachial plexus relationship of the dorsal scapular artery.

The dorsal scapular artery can either be a direct branch of the subclavian artery or a branch of the transverse cervical artery. Origin variation is related to its relationship with the brachial plexus. Anatomical dissection was performed on 79 sides of 41 formalin-embalmed cadavers in Taiwan. The origin of the dorsal scapular artery and the variations of its brachial plexus relationship were scrutinized and analyzed. Results showed that the dorsal scapular artery originated most frequently from the transverse cervical artery (48%), followed by the direct branch from the third part (25%) and the second part (22%) of the subclavian artery and from the axillary artery (5%). Only 3% of the dorsal scapular artery passed through the brachial plexus if its origin was the transverse cervical artery. However, 100% and 75% of the dorsal scapular artery passed through the brachial plexus when they were direct branches of the second and the third part of the subclavian artery, respectively. Suprascapular arteries were also found to pass through the brachial plexus when they were direct branches from the subclavian artery, but all passed over or under the brachial plexus if they originated from the thyrocervical trunk or transverse cervical artery. Variations in the origin and course of arteries around the brachial plexus are of immense value not only to the basic anatomical knowledge but also to clinical practices such as supraclavicular brachial plexus block and head and neck reconstruction with pedicled or free flaps.

Roles of gut microbes in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. Gut dysbiosis is considered a significant contributing factor in disease development. Increased intestinal permeability can be induced by gut dysbiosis, followed by the entry of lipopolysaccharide into circulation to reach peripheral tissue and result in chronic inflammation. We reviewed how microbial metabolites push host physiology toward MAFLD, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and tryptophan metabolites. The effects of SCFAs are generally reported as anti-inflammatory and can improve intestinal barrier function and restore gut microbiota. Gut microbes can influence intestinal barrier function through SCFAs produced by fermentative bacteria, especially butyrate and propionate producers. This is achieved through the activation of free fatty acid sensing receptors. Bile is directly involved in lipid absorption. Gut microbes can alter bile acid composition by bile salt hydrolase-producing bacteria and bacterial hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-producing bacteria. These bile acids can affect host physiology by activating farnesoid X receptor Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5. Gut microbes can also induce MAFLD-associated symptoms by producing tryptophan metabolites kynurenine, serotonin, and indole-3-propionate. A summary of bacterial genera involved in SCFAs production, bile acid transformation, and tryptophan metabolism is provided. Many bacteria have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating MAFLD in animal models and are potential therapeutic candidates for MAFLD.

In Vitro Evaluation of Tellurium-Based AS101 Compound against Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infectivity.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) is a obligate human pathogen responsible for gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. The yearly increased multidrug resistance in GC has led to treatment failure clinically, suggesting an urgent need for novel therapy to combat this global health issue. AS101 [ammonium trichloro(dioxoethylene-O,O'-)tellurate], a tellurium-based compound previously used as an immunomodulatory agent, was found to have antimicrobial effects against Klebsiella pneumoniae via a high-throughput drug screening and showed antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter spp. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-gonococcal activity of AS101, including its antimicrobial activity, biofilm and infectivity inhibition, and potential underlying mechanisms. The agar-dilution-based MIC was used. The inhibition of GC microcolony formation and continual growth by AS101 was assessed by microscopy. The effect of AS101 on GC infectivity was evaluated by infecting endocervical ME180 and colorectal T84 epithelial cell lines. The mode of action was evaluated by a time-killing curve, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The MICs of MS11 and WHO GC isolates were both found to be 0.05 µg/mL. The biofilm formation, continual growth, and infectivity of two epithelial cell lines were significantly decreased with AS101 treatment. The time-kill curve, similar to that of azithromycin, suggested that AS101 is a bacteriostatic antimicrobial. However, TEM and ROS levels implied a mode of action different from that of azithromycin. Our findings highlighted the robust anti-gonococcal activities of AS101, which potentiates its use as a future antimicrobial for GC. IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen responsible for gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. The yearly increased multidrug resistance in GC has led to treatment failure clinically, suggesting an urgent need for novel therapy to combat the global health issue. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-gonococcal activity of a previous immunomodulatory agent, AS101, and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we report that AS101 possesses remarkable anti-gonococcal activity. These findings supported further studies on in vivo experiments and formulations for the clinical application of AS101 as an anti-gonococcal agent.

A structure of the relict phycobilisome from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium.

Phycobilisomes (PBS) are antenna megacomplexes that transfer energy to photosystems II and I in thylakoids. PBS likely evolved from a basic, inefficient form into the predominant hemidiscoidal shape with radiating peripheral rods. However, it has been challenging to test this hypothesis because ancestral species are generally inaccessible. Here we use spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy to reveal a structure of a "paddle-shaped" PBS from a thylakoid-free cyanobacterium that likely retains ancestral traits. This PBS lacks rods and specialized ApcD and ApcF subunits, indicating relict characteristics. Other features include linkers connecting two chains of five phycocyanin hexamers (CpcN) and two core subdomains (ApcH), resulting in a paddle-shaped configuration. Energy transfer calculations demonstrate that chains are less efficient than rods. These features may nevertheless have increased light absorption by elongating PBS before multilayered thylakoids with hemidiscoidal PBS evolved. Our results provide insights into the evolution and diversification of light-harvesting strategies before the origin of thylakoids.

Active endocytosis and microtubule remodeling restore compressed pyramidal neuron morphology in rat cerebral cortex.

Previous studies have shown that compression alone reduced the thickness of rat cerebral cortex and apical dendritic lengths of pyramidal neurons without apparent cell death. Besides, decompression restored dendritic lengths at different degrees depending on duration of compression. To understand the mechanisms regulating dendritic shortening and lengthening upon compression and decompression, we applied transmission electron microscopy to examine microtubule and membrane structure of pyramidal neurons in rat sensorimotor cortex subjected to compression and decompression. Microtubule densities within apical dendritic trunks decreased significantly and arranged irregularly following compression for a period from 30 min to 24 h. In addition, apical dendritic trunks showed twisted contour. Two reasons are accounted for the decrease of microtubule density within this period. First, microtubule depolymerized and resulted in lower number of microtubules. Second, the twisted membrane widened the diameters of apical dendritic trunks, which also caused a decrease in microtubule density. Interestingly, these compression-induced changes were quickly reversed to control level following decompression, suggesting that these changes were accomplished passively. Furthermore, microtubule densities were restored to control level and the number of endocytotic vesicles significantly increased along the apical dendritic membrane in neurons subjected to 36 h or longer period of compression. However, decompression did not make significant changes on dendrites compressed for 36 h, for they had already shown straight appearance before decompression. These results suggest that active membrane endocytosis and microtubule remodeling occur in this adaptive stage to make the apical dendritic trunks regain their smooth contour and regular microtubule arrangement, similar to that of the normal control neurons.

Clinical Correlation of Bladder Electron Microscopic Characteristics in Patients with Detrusor Underactivity of Various Etiologies.

This study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural characteristics of the bladder of patients with detrusor underactivity (DU) of various etiologies. Twenty-five patients with DU and control subjects underwent urodynamic testing and transmission electron microscopic examination of bladder specimens. The epithelium, lamina propria, and muscle layers were analyzed separately. The DU bladders exhibited total epithelial denudation (52%). In the bladders with remaining epithelium, apical cell uroplakins (44.4%) and tight junction complexes (77.8%) were also noted. The lamina propria was characterized by loose extracellular connective tissue (48%) and a lack of nerve terminals (76%). Smooth muscle shrinkage and a loss of their regular spindle shape (91.6%) were also noted in the detrusor layer. Patients with DU with intact epithelial cell layers had significantly larger void volumes and maximal flow rates than those with mild or severe epithelial denudation. Patients with remaining nerve terminals in lamina propria had a stronger first sensation of filling and smaller residual urine volume than those without nerve terminals. The proportion of ultrastructural defects of the bladder was not significantly different among patients with DU of various etiologies and treatment outcomes. DU bladders were characterized by ultrastructural defects in the entire bladder, and the defects were correlated to clinical parameters.

Changes in the Ultrastructure of the Bladder Urothelium in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis after Intravesical Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma.

Urothelial dysfunction is considered a key pathological mechanism of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Intravesical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections might be effective for treating IC/BPS. This prospective study investigated the changes in electron microscopic findings among IC/BPS patients after intravesical PRP injections. Twenty-six patients with refractory non-ulcer IC/BPS underwent monthly intravesical PRP injections for 4 months. Changes in clinical symptom scores and video urodynamic study parameters were assessed from baseline to after the PRP injections. A post-treatment Global Response Assessment (GRA) score ≥ 2 was considered a successful outcome. The mean GRA score was significantly higher after 4 PRP injections than at baseline. Approximately 42% of patients experienced successful outcomes after PRP treatment. Urothelial ultrastructural defects showed no significant differences between baseline and after the PRP injections. However, patients showed variable improvements in different urothelial defects (grade improvements: urothelium cell layers, 31%; umbrella cell integrity, 42%; umbrella cell surface uroplakin plaque, 54%; tight junctions between adjacent umbrella cells, 46%; lysed organelles, 58%; inflammatory cell infiltration, 31%). Patients with successful treatment outcomes showed significant improvements in urothelial tight junction defects. Repeated intravesical PRP injections are effective for improving IC/BPS symptoms as they promote urothelial ultrastructural defect recovery.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of urine biomarkers among women with dysfunctional voiding.

The current study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of urine biomarkers among female patients with dysfunctional voiding (DV). Urine samples were collected from 43 female patients with DV and 25 controls. Oxidative stress biomarkers (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG], 8-isoprostane, and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) and inflammatory markers (interleukin-1 beta [IL-1ß], IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, nerve growth factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels were analyzed. In total, 26 patients with DV received further treatment with biofeedback pelvic floor muscle exercise or external urethral sphincter botulinum toxin A injections. Patients with DV had significantly higher urine 8-OHdG, IL-1ß, IL-8, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels than controls. Both urine 8-OHdG and IL-1ß levels were positively correlated with clinical symptoms. Patients with DV who had successful treatment outcomes had significantly lower pretreatment urine 8-isoprostane and TAC levels than those with unsuccessful outcomes. The pretreatment urine TAC level was the only independent predictor of successful treatment outcomes (odds ratio: 0.995). Compared with controls, female patients with DV had distinct urine oxidative stress biomarker and inflammatory marker profiles, which also mapped their clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes. These urine analytes might have diagnostic and prognostic values among female patients with DV.

Urine Oxidative Stress Biomarkers as Novel Biomarkers in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Both hypoxia and chronic suburothelial inflammation are important pathophysiological findings in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). This study investigated the roles of urine oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in patients with IC/BPS. Urine samples were collected from 159 IC/BPS patients and 28 controls. The targeted analytes included oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG, 8-isoprostane, and total antioxidant capacity) and inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1, RANTES, CXCL10, Eotaxin, MIP-1ß, and IL-8). IC/BPS patients were classified into four clinical subgroups, based on the glomerulation grade and the maximal bladder capacity under anesthesia. Patients with IC/BPS had urine oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines profiles that were distinct from those of the controls and among each subgroup. Both 8-OHdG and 8-isoprostane showed a high diagnostic ability to distinguish type 2 IC/BPS patients (as classified by the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis) from controls. Additionally, they both showed positive and negative correlations with the glomerulation grade and the maximal bladder capacity under anesthesia, respectively. Limitations included intra-individual variation and sex influence. Urine oxidative stress biomarkers might have a role in diagnosing IC/BPS and differentiating its clinical subtypes. In addition to inflammatory cytokines, urine oxidative stress biomarkers have the potential to be novel biomarkers in patients with IC/BPS.

Bladder Ultrastructure and Urinary Cytokine Abnormality in Patients with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection and the Changes after Intravesical Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections.

This study investigates the bladder from patients with recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) at baseline and after intravesical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Patients with rUTI who underwent repeated intravesical PRP injections provided bladder and urine specimens at baseline and after treatment. Bladder specimens were investigated with electron microscopy and Western blotting. The urine sample was analyzed with commercially available Milliplex immunoassays. A total of 29 patients were enrolled. At baseline, the rUTI bladders exhibited defects of integrity in umbrella cells, a widened tight junction, and lysed organelles. Intracellular bacterial community incubations in the epithelial cells were also noted. Improvement in bladder defects after PRP injection was noted in 25-42% of patients. Bladder UPK3 expression was significantly lower in the patients with rUTI than in controls. Baseline levels of urinary inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were higher in the patients with rUTI than in the controls, but there were lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor. In the patients with rUTI who recovered from acute infection, the bladders still had immature urothelium, various ultrastructural defects, and elevated urinary inflammatory cytokines. PRP injection has the potential to promote bladder recovery in some of these patients.