Expression of nerve growth factor immunoreactivity and messenger RNA in ischemic urinary bladder

Abstract

The bladder contractile dysfunction resulting from acute ischemia may be attributed to nerve growth factor (NGF) overexpression. This study was conducted to evaluate the acute and mid-term effects of bladder ischemia on the temporal expression of NGF immunoreactivity and mRNA. Bladder ischemia was induced by ligation of bilateral vesical arteries in female rats. We examined the NGF content of bladder detrusor muscle at 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks after artery ligation. Immunoreactivity of NGF was studied by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot. The NGF mRNA was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The immunofluorescence of NGF at 1 week and 4 weeks was significantly reduced when compared to sham-operated group (P < 0.05). This decreased tendency was also found in Western blot test. An increased expression of NGF mRNA was noted at 1 day, 1 week and 4 weeks, but had no significant change when compared to sham-operated group (P > 0.05). Our study showed bilateral vesical artery ligation may cause damage of detrusor muscle and there is decreased NGF immunofluorescence and elevated NGF mRNA in bladder suggesting an expression disparity following ischemia.