Surgical menopause exacerbated high-fat and high-sugar diet-induced overactive bladder in a rat model

Abstract

Objective: The pathophysiology mechanism of menopause in the metabolic syndrome-associated bladder dysfunction is still not clear. The major aims of the present study were to examine the impact of high-fat-high-sugar diet and surgical menopause-induced metabolic syndrome in overactive bladder (OAB). Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats were feed with high-fat-high-sugar diet with/without ovariectomy surgery to mimic menopause and to induce metabolic syndrome. At 6 months after high-fat-high-sugar feeding, cystometrogram, physical indicator, and urine and serum biochemistry parameters were measured. Masson's trichrome stain and Western blots were carried out to examine the expressions of interstitial fibrosis, fibrosis-associated proteins, and muscarinic or purinergic receptors. Results: Bladder hyperactivity was induced accompanied by bladder interstitial fibrosis after 6 months of high-fat-high-sugar feeding, while surgical menopause exacerbated these bladder damages and enhanced interstitial fibrosis level. In addition, surgical menopause enhanced bladder dysfunction via overexpression of muscarinic and purinergic receptors. Conclusions: High-fat-high-sugar feeding induced bladder overactivity, while ovary hormone deficiency enhanced bladder interstitial fibrosis, exacerbated OAB syndrome, and increased muscarinic and purinergic receptors expressions.