Role of antioxidants in the treatment of obstruction-mediated rabbit urinary bladder dysfunction

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common medical problem; more than 80% of males 50 years of age and older have some degree of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH. In order to understand the effects of outlet obstruction on bladder structure and function, animal models have been developed using several species including rat, rabbit, guinea pig, and pig. Although there are marked differences in bladder size, capacity, compliance, physiology and pharmacology among these species, their responses to outlet obstruction have many common characteristics. Recent reviews have enumerated these responses of animal bladders to partial outlet obstruction; their relevance to progressive bladder dysfunction secondary to BPH in men. We have found that the rabbit is most similar to man in that the rabbit urinates between 3 and 5 times per day, we can evaluate bladder function through urodynamics performed similar to that used in man, and cystoscopy can be performed using a pediatric cystiscope.