Micturition is a complex neuromuscular process. Although control mechanisms have been identified at several levels of the central nervous system and spinal cord, the final pathway in the control of micturition is the autonomic innervation of the urinary bladder and related structures. Our general research objective is to identify specific alterations in bladder function, physiology, and morphology which relate to specific urogenital conditions. Studies to date indicate that the bladder reacts to several experimental pathologies and specific surgical manipulations with rapid compensatory changes in both bladder function and structure. The major objective of the current proposal is to systematically characterize and correlate the physiological, functional, and morphological responses of the bladder to chronic outlet obstruction, removal of the outlet obstruction, and subtotal cystectomy. The emphasis of these proposed studies will be n the compensatory mechanisms by which the bladder responds and adapts to outlet obstruction, relief of outlet obstruction, and subtotal cystectomy. An understanding of the progression of these models will help in understanding the extent to which the bladder can compensate in response to specific challenges, and, determine if and when intervention should take place. The progressive response of the bladder to the above experimental conditions will be monitored using a variety of research methodologies. These methods will quantitate and correlate the functional, biochemical and morphologic changes in the bladder. Functional changes will be assessed by: 1) measurements of volume and frequency of voiding; 2) in vivo cystometry; 3) evaluation of the ability of the in-vitro bladder to generate pressure and empty in response to electrical field stimulation,muscarinic, and purinergic stimulation; and 4) determination of the distribution and density of the various autonomic receptors. Biochemical assays will determine collagen and elastin content and distribution, and the tissue content and concentration of ATP, CP, DNA and RNA. Morphologic changes will be determined by detailed morphometric studies of the bladder body and base. Data to be collected by the three modalities of study will be analyzed statistically by the appropriate methods, and correlated in relation to bladder storage/voiding function in the various experimental settings.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK026508-12
Application #
3227924
Study Section
Surgery, Anesthesiology and Trauma Study Section (SAT)
Project Start
1980-04-01
Project End
1994-12-31
Budget Start
1992-01-01
Budget End
1992-12-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Capello, Seth A; Chieh-Lung Chou, Eric; Longhurst, Penelope A (2005) Regional differences in responses of rabbit detrusor to electrical and adrenergic stimulation: influence of outlet obstruction. BJU Int 95:157-62
Levin, R M; Whitbeck, C; Horan, P et al. (2005) Low-dose tadenan protects the rabbit bladder from bilateral ischemia/ reperfusion-induced contractile dysfunction. Phytomedicine 12:17-24
Levin, Robert M; Hudson, Alan P (2004) The molecular genetic basis of mitochondrial malfunction in bladder tissue following outlet obstruction. J Urol 172:438-47
Levin, Robert M; Leggett, Robert E; Whitbeck, Catherine et al. (2004) Oral Kohki Tea and its protective effect against in vitro ischemic damage to the bladder. Neurourol Urodyn 23:355-60
Levin, Robert; Chichester, Paul; Levin, Sheila et al. (2004) Role of angiogenesis in bladder response to partial outlet obstruction. Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl :37-47
Matsumoto, Seiji; Kogan, Barry A; Levin, Robert M et al. (2003) Response of the fetal sheep bladder to urinary diversion. J Urol 169:735-9
Chou, Eric Chieh-Lung; Capello, Seth A; Levin, Robert M et al. (2003) Excitatory alpha1-adrenergic receptors predominate over inhibitory beta-receptors in rabbit dorsal detrusor. J Urol 170:2503-7
Levin, Robert M; Borow, Abby; Levin, Sheila S et al. (2003) Effect of DHLA on response of isolated rat urinary bladder to repetitive field stimulation. Mol Cell Biochem 246:129-35
Levin, Robert M; O'Connor, Laura J; Leggett, Robert E et al. (2003) Focal hypoxia of the obstructed rabbit bladder wall correlates with intermediate decompensation. Neurourol Urodyn 22:156-63
Bratslavsky, Gennadi; Kogan, Barry A; Matsumoto, Seiji et al. (2003) Reperfusion injury of the rat bladder is worse than ischemia. J Urol 170:2086-90

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