Correlation of urinary glycosaminoglycan levels, and profile with disease severity in interstitial cystitis patients

Abstract

Conclusions Urothelial glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer offers a protective barrier in normal bladders. Measurable amounts of urinary GAG levels were detected by the methods used in the present report. We found significantly elevated levels of total urinary GAG in patients with IC symptom >50% of maximum scores. Of note, in patients with IC symptoms below 50% of maximum scores, total urinary GAG levels were not significantly different from controls. In neither IC patients nor controls were urinary sulfated GAG levels elevated. In addition, we found that pathological parameters did not correlate significantly with GAG levels or GAG profile. Based on the present findings, total urinary GAG levels may be useful as an objective measure to evaluate patients with severe symptoms of IC.