The effects of a galectin-3 inhibitor on bladder pain syndrome in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis

AIMS

To explore the effect of blocking galectin-3 in the bladder pain syndrome associated with interstitial cystitis.

METHODS

A galectin-3 inhibitor was used to treat mice with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. The expression of galectin-3 in bladder tissues and urine was examined by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Suprapubic-pelvic pain, bladder voiding, bladder pain-like nociceptive behavior, and referred hyperalgesia were assessed. The weights of the bladders were also measured, and inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammatory cytokine levels were examined by histopathological evaluation. The inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β), nerve growth factor (NGF), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Increases in galectin-3 levels, inflammation, bladder weight, and bladder pain-related symptoms were observed in bladders with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Administration of the galectin-3 inhibitor significantly mitigated bladder pain-related symptoms and inflammatory response. In response to the 500 μM dose of the galectin-3 inhibitor, nociceptive behaviors, nociceptive score, and bladder-to-body weight ratios were reduced by 65.1%, 65.3%, and 40.3%, respectively, while 500 μM Gal-3 inhibitor increased pelvic pain threshold by 86.7%. Moreover, galectin-3 inhibitor treatment inhibited the inflammation. Compared to untreated CYP-induced mice, there were significant changes in the levels of IL-1β (41.72 ± 2.05 vs. 18.91 ± 2.26 pg/mg tissues), NGF (9.64 ± 0.38 vs. 1.88 ± 0.05 pg/mg tissues), IL-6 (42.67 + 1.51 vs. 21.26 + 2.78 pg/mg tissues, and TNF-α (22.02 ± 1.08 vs. 10.70 ± 0.80 pg/mg tissues) in response to the highest dose of the Gal-3 inhibitor subgroup (500 μM), and 500 μM Gal-3 inhibitor reduced mast cell infiltration ratios by 71.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

The galectin-3 inhibitor relieved pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, and bladder inflammation in mice with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Thus, galectin-3 inhibitors may be novel agents in interstitial cystitis treatment.

Pain Related to Intradetrusor BotulinumtoxinA: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

OnabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) is an effective treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), but few studies have been done to evaluate injection techniques.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to evaluate procedural discomfort between 2 commonly used injection techniques for BTX-A.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial of women undergoing injection of 100 U BTX-A for idiopathic OAB. Patients were randomized to 5 mL/5 injection or 10 mL/10 injection groups. Bladder pain was assessed by a validated Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Overactive bladder symptoms were assessed with a standardized questionnaire (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form). Patient satisfaction, treatment efficacy, and adverse events were assessed at 30 days after procedure.

RESULTS

One hundred eight patients were randomized to 52 in the 5 mL/5 injection arm and 56 in the 10 mL/10 injection arm. Mean procedural pain scores were 3.2 (±2.3) in the 5 mL/5 injection group versus 3.6 (±2.1) in the 10 mL/10 injection group (P = 0.21). No difference was found when categorizing pain scores into ordinal outcomes of low (P = 0.55), medium (P = 0.70), and high (P = 1.0) or a binary outcome of low (P = 0.55) versus medium + high (P = 0.55). Multivariate analyses did not effect statistical significance between the 2 groups for the ordinal outcome (odds ratio = 1.86; 95% confidence interval = 0.77 = 4.52; P = 0.17) or the binary outcome (odds ratio = 1.81; 95% confidence interval = 0.68-4.77; P = 0.28). No difference was observed between overall patient satisfaction, global impression of improvement, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form scores, or adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Procedural discomfort related to BTX-A injection for idiopathic OAB was not different between 2 injection protocols. Overall satisfaction was high for both groups, and there was no difference in symptom scores or adverse events.

Low-Energy Shock Wave Suppresses Prostatic Pain and Inflammation by Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics Regulators on a Carrageenan-Induced Prostatitis Model in Rats

A low-energy shock wave (LESW) has therapeutic effects on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS); however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. We explored the effects of LESW on the prostate and mitochondrial dynamics regulators in a rat model of carrageenan-induced prostatitis. The imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics regulators may affect the inflammatory process and molecules and contribute to CP/CPPS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraprostatic 3% or 5% carrageenan injections. The 5% carrageenan group also received LESW treatment at 24 h, 7 days, and 8 days. Pain behavior was evaluated at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks after a saline or carrageenan injection. The bladder and the prostate were harvested for immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Intraprostatic carrageenan injection induced inflammatory reaction in the prostate and the bladder, decreased the pain threshold, and resulted in the upregulation of Drp-1, MFN-2, NLRP3 (mitochondrial integrity markers), substance P, and CGRP-RCP, whose effects were maintained for 1-2 weeks. LESW treatment suppressed carrageenan-induced prostatic pain, inflammatory reaction, mitochondrial integrity markers, and expression of sensory molecules. These findings support a link between the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of LESW in CP/CPPS and the reversal of cellular perturbations caused by imbalances in mitochondrial dynamics in the prostate.

Rare complication of antimalarial prophylaxis by doxycycline: drug-related pollakiuria

We report the case of a French soldier deployed in Chad, who developed disabling pollakiuria after starting antimalarial prophylaxis by doxycycline. This rare secondary effect is not mentioned in reference books.

[Bladder pain and urinary tract symptoms as a consequence of ketamine abuse]

A recent study has shown that ketamine has become popular among Danish clubgoers. The drug can induce psychedelic effects but it also has serious urological side effects, such as frequency and urgency in relation to voiding as well as pain from the bladder and haematuria. Ketamine can also induce histological bladder changes. Mild changes are reversible on cessation of ketamine abuse but long-term abuse can cause fibrosis of the bladder and may necessitate cystectomy. Therefore, physicians should ask young patients with bladder symptoms of unknown pathology about ketamine abuse.

[Medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy]

BACKGROUND

The ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a public health problem and its frequency has doubled in most industrialized countries in 20 years. aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate (MTX) intramuscularly (IM).

METHODS

prospective study supported between October 2006 and December 2010. The selected patients received methotrexate IM (1 mg per kg). The monitoring was based on: the kinetics of plasma HCG, clinical examination and ultrasound. A second injection was performed if hCG on day 4 was increased by more than 25% or J7> the initial rate. Healing corresponded to obtain a zero rate of HCG in a stable manner.

RESULTS

We used the first-line medical treatment in 122 patients. The average age of patients was 31.94 years. A haematosalpinx was found in 87.70% of cases. The initial rate of HCG plasma varied between 40 IU/ml and 4088 IU / ml, with an average of 805.88 m IU / ml. The primary success rate obtained after a single injection of intramuscular MTX was 67%. The high success rate obtained after two injections of MTX was 27%. The overall success rate after 1 or 2 injections of MTX was 82%. 17 patients underwent surgical treatment after a first injection of methotrexate. 5 patients underwent surgery after receiving two doses of methotrexate. The period of normalization of plasma levels of h CG was 24 days on average, with extremes ranging from 4 to 43 days for 67 patients cured after a single injection of MTX. This period was 33 days on average, with extremes ranging from 8 to 62 days for patients healed after two injections of MTX.

CONCLUSION

Medical treatment applied to 38% of ectopic pregnancies diagnosed in our department is effective in 82% of cases if the inclusion criteria are strictly adhered to. Successful treatment is limited by patient compliance and demanding nature of monitoring.

Pelvic pain after gonadotropin administration as a potential sign of endometriosis

We describe five patients who developed significant pelvic pain, requiring narcotics, during a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle and who were surgically diagnosed with significant endometriosis. Severe pain, especially if it requires narcotics, is unusual for patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and may be an indicator of endometriosis.

Warming Echovist contrast medium for hysterocontrastsonography and the effect on the incidence of pelvic pain. A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Hysterocontrastsonography (HyCoSy) is a simple effective investigation of tubal patency. One common side effect is pelvic pain at the time of the procedure. The temperature of the contrast media used may be a causative agent for pelvic pain. This study was designed to assess the effect of warming the contrast to body temperature compared to room temperature on the incidence of pelvic pain.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was carried out at the Cardiff Assisted Reproduction Unit. Following ethical approval, all women having HyCoSy for tubal assessment were asked if they would be willing to participate in the study. Computer-generated numbers were placed in opaque sealed envelopes, which were opened by the fertility nurse at the time of procedure. The women were randomized into two arms to receive the contrast medium at either room temperature or at body temperature. Randomization was done according to CONSORT guidelines. The pain experienced was then recorded by the patient on a 10-cm visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

The mean pain scores in the room temperature and the body temperature arms were 5.1 and 3.86, respectively. This was statistically significant (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Warming of Echovist contrast media to body temperature is a simple and effective intervention in reducing discomfort at the time of HyCoSy.

Combined oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of back and pelvic pain during pregnancy or after delivery

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate whether the duration of previous use of combined oral contraceptives (COC) is associated with disabling back or pelvic pain during pregnancy and pain persisting eight months after delivery.

METHODS

Questionnaires were distributed to a group of women at 36 weeks of pregnancy and eight months after their delivery. There were no exclusion criteria. Disabling pain was defined as moderate or severe pain restricting physical activity. Multiple logistic regression analysis of disabling pain during pregnancy and persistent pain after delivery comprised the duration of COC use adjusted for age, pain in a previous pregnancy and a history of back pain when not pregnant.

RESULTS

The study comprised 161 women. Pain during pregnancy was classified as disabling in 57 of the women (35%), pain in a previous pregnancy being a risk factor, odds ratio (OR) 5.0 (95% CI 2.1; 12.1), whereas no association was found with the duration of COC use. Persistent pain eight months after delivery was reported by 41 women (26%), risk factors being a history of back pain when not pregnant; OR 7.5 (2.8; 19.5), disabling pain in the recent pregnancy; OR 5.0 (1.9; 13.4), and short use of COC; 0-<1 year; OR 4.2 (1.3; 12.9), 1-<5 years; OR 4.6 (1.5; 14.4) (reference=>10 years).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that non- or short term users of COC have an increased risk of persistent pain after delivery compared to long term users. No association was found between the duration of COC use and back or pelvic pain during pregnancy.

Role of neurokinin receptors in the behavioral effect of intravesical antigen infusion in guinea pig bladder

PURPOSE

To characterize a guinea pig behavior model of bladder pain due to intravesical antigen infusion and to determine the role of neurokinin receptor subtypes in mediating this behavior.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The influence of subtype-selective neurokinin receptor antagonists on increased abdominal licking behavior in response to intravesical antigen infusion in guinea pigs immunized with ovalbumin (OA) was determined.

RESULTS

Intravesical OA infusion for 30 minutes induced a significantly greater frequency (about 3-fold) of abdominal licking behavior than during either the 30 minutes pre-challenge or post challenge saline infusions. Treatment with IP capsaicin 7 to 10 days before OA challenge abolished the intravesical antigen-induced behavior. IP injection of the NK1 receptor antagonist CP 99994 (10 mg./kg. or 30 mg./kg.), 30 minutes pretreatment, inhibited the increase in the average number of abdominal licks during antigen infusion. The 30 mg./kg., but not the 10 mg./kg. dose increased the percent of animals showing antinociceptive activity (defined as 4 or less abdominal licks during the antigen infusion). The NK2 receptor antagonist SR 48968 reduced the antigen-induced abdominal licking behavior at IP doses of 3 and 10 mg./kg. but was ineffective at 1 mg./kg. The NK3 receptor antagonist SB 235375 (30 mg./kg., IP) did not reduce this behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a role for activation of NK1 and NK2, but not NK3 receptors, by tachykinins released from capsaicin-sensitive nerves, in the increased abdominal licking behavior response of guinea pigs to intravesical antigen infusion.

Hormone withdrawal symptoms in oral contraceptive users

OBJECTIVE

To measure the timing, frequency, and severity of hormone-related symptoms in oral contraceptive (OC) users, specifically to compare active-pill with hormone-free intervals.

METHODS

Using daily diaries, women recorded pelvic pain, bleeding, headaches, analgesic use, nausea or vomiting, bloating or swelling, and breast tenderness during active-pill intervals and hormone-free intervals. Participants either had no prior OC use, had taken OCs and were restarting, or had been taking OCs continuously for 12 months or longer.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-two women, 26 with no previous OC use, 43 prior users, and 193 current users, provided daily records of hormone-related symptoms. Subjects with no prior OC use and prior users restarting were similar in no recent OC use, and because of the small sample, they were pooled for analysis as new-start OC users. Current users had patterns of symptoms that were more frequent during hormone-free intervals than during the three active-pill weeks. These included pelvic pain (70% versus 21%, P < .001), headaches (70% versus 53%, P < .001), use of pain medication (69% versus 43%, P < .001), bloating or swelling (58% versus 19%, P < .001), and breast tenderness (38% versus 16%, P < .001). Similar patterns were seen in new-start OC users after the first cycle. Among new-start OC users, menstrual flow patterns, headache, bloating or swelling, and breast-tenderness symptoms decreased during the three cycles to approach those levels of current users.

CONCLUSION

Almost all symptoms assessed were significantly worse during the 7-day hormone-free interval than during the 21 days of hormone-containing pills.