Expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 and autophagy markers in the bladder of rats with neurogenic lower urinary tract injury.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to explore the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and its correlation with autophagy markers in the bladder of rats with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) post spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the SCI group and control group. Rats in the SCI group were subjected to T10-T11 spinal cord transection. At day 1, 4, and 7, 6 rats were euthanized daily and the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score (BBB score), post-void residual (PVR), urinary bladder function score (UBFS) and bladder weight were assessed. The expression TGF-ß1 and autophagy markers were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, Western bolt, and qRT-PCR. SETTING: A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the SCI group and control group, with three time points in each group. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. RESULTS: SCI modeling impaired the motor function of the hind limbs and the bladder function of rats. NLUTD muscle exhibited a punctated immunostaining pattern for LC3, suggesting the accumulation of autophagosomes. Our results further indicated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of TGF-ß1 and LC3 were increased, while the level of P62 was decreased after SCI modeling. CONCLUSION: TGF-ß1 was significantly increased in SCI rats with NLUTD and was correlated with autophagy markers LC3 and p62.