(358) Neural cross-talk between the prostate and bladder is demonstrated by a retrograde labeling of DRGs

Abstract

A high incidence of prostatic inflammation in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has been previously reported.1,2 One of the supportive mechanisms is that prostatic inflammation sensitizes afferent fibers from the bladder resulting in changes in bladder function. We show here that afferent innervation of the bladder and prostate originate from overlapping groups of dorsal root ganglia. To determine spinal segments having convergent DRGs, a retro-grade neuro-tracer Fast Blue (FB) was applied to each of the prostate lobes as the seminal vesicle and bladder in adult C57BL/6 mice. Tissues including pelvic organs and DRGs were harvested at post-application day 7. Our study clearly demonstrates that prostate and bladder share afferent innervation via convergent DRGs in spinal segment T13, L1, L2, L6 and S1. There are several features indicating the reliability and reproducibility of this technique in our laboratory. This includes (1) different intensity of staining in the same section of DRGs, (2) procedures confirming no-spillage from the origin of the neuro-tracer application via all pelvic organ sectioning, (3) positive parasympathetic (autonomic) nerve fibers in pelvic organs adjacent to the application orgin, (4) consistent staining pattern with two different application method; crystal powder and intramuscular injection, (5) co-staining with pan neural marker of PGP 9.5 and (6) size distribution of FB positive DRGs. We are the first group to successfully undertaken and accomplish these experiments and have now clearly shown that pelvic cross-talk occurs between the prostate and bladder. (1. Bushman, W. The Urologic clinics of North America, 2009; 2. i, V. Is chronic prostatic inflammation a new target in the medical therapy of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), 2013.)