Expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and autophagy markers in the bladder of rats with neurogenic lower urinary tract injury.

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and its correlation with autophagy markers in the bladder of rats with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) post spinal cord injury (SCI). A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the SCI group and control group. Rats in the SCI group were subjected to T10-T11 spinal cord transection. At day 1, 4, and 7, 6 rats were euthanized daily and the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score (BBB score), post-void residual (PVR), urinary bladder function score (UBFS) and bladder weight were assessed. The expression TGF-β1 and autophagy markers were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, Western bolt, and qRT-PCR. A total of 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the SCI group and control group, with three time points in each group. Not applicable. SCI modeling impaired the motor function of the hind limbs and the bladder function of rats. NLUTD muscle exhibited a punctated immunostaining pattern for LC3, suggesting the accumulation of autophagosomes. Our results further indicated that compared with the control group, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and LC3 were increased, while the level of P62 was decreased after SCI modeling. TGF-β1 was significantly increased in SCI rats with NLUTD and was correlated with autophagy markers LC3 and p62.