You have accessJournal of UrologyInfections/Inflammation/Cystic Disease of the Genitourinary Tract: Interstitial Cystitis I1 Apr 2017PD01-03 STRESS-INDUCED ADRENERGIC DYSREGULATION ALTERS NEURAL-GLIAL DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOTYPE Bronagh McDonnell, Aura Kullmann, Amanda Wolf-Johnston, Anthony Kanai, Peter Grace, Linda Watkins, Larissa Rodriguez, and Lori Birder Bronagh McDonnellBronagh McDonnell More articles by this author , Aura KullmannAura Kullmann More articles by this author , Amanda Wolf-JohnstonAmanda Wolf-Johnston More articles by this author , Anthony KanaiAnthony Kanai More articles by this author , Peter GracePeter Grace More articles by this author , Linda WatkinsLinda Watkins More articles by this author , Larissa RodriguezLarissa Rodriguez More articles by this author , and Lori BirderLori Birder More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.183AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES There is evidence (in patients and preclinical models) that stress can enhance painful sensations in patients with functional pain syndromes such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Though the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully explored, findings reveal increased autonomic (sympathetic) dysregulation as well as a role for central augmentation. In this regard, activation of spinal cord (SC) glial cells can increase excitability of neurons leading to the initiation and maintenance of bladder hyperalgesia and impaired bladder storage function (urgency, frequency). Our goal was to examine whether chronic stress (using the water avoidance stress or WAS model) can alter neural-glial distribution and chemistry, which may play a role in micturition and pain behavior. METHODS Adult female Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to WAS by placement on a pedestal in a water-filled container (1hr/day x10 consecutive days) versus handled controls. Previous published findings have revealed WAS rats exhibit long-lasting urinary frequency and hyperalgesia. SC (L6) were harvested from anesthetized animals, and either cryosectioned (for immunocytochemistry) or homogenized (for RT-PCR). The following were investigated: calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP; sensory fibers), microglia (IBA-1), Toll-like receptor (TLR-4), purinergic receptor subtypes (P2X4, P2X7). Separate groups of both WAS and control animals were treated 2 days prior then every other day with the adrenergic antagonist phenoxybenzamine (PB; 2 mg/kg i.p.) or saline, respectively. RESULTS WAS increased neural CGRP (40%) and IBA-1 (2 fold) expression in the L6 SC dorsal horn and central canal (regions receiving input from nociceptive fibers). We find PB reduced CGRP expression (92% decrease) as well as IBA-1 in WAS SC. Further, both TLR-4 as well as P2X4 and P2X7 purinergic receptor are increased (50%) in WAS, suggesting microglia activation with chronic stress. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings suggest increased communication between the sympathetic nervous system and bladder sensory neurons that may play an important role in chronic pain conditions. This includes abnormal neural sprouting and altered morphology and chemistry of SC glial cells, which are likely to play an important role in modifying neural activity resulting in changes in bladder function and sensory mechanisms. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e46-e47 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Bronagh McDonnell More articles by this author Aura Kullmann More articles by this author Amanda Wolf-Johnston More articles by this author Anthony Kanai More articles by this author Peter Grace More articles by this author Linda Watkins More articles by this author Larissa Rodriguez More articles by this author Lori Birder More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...