• Cheng-Yu Long, Kun-Ling Lin, Zi-Xi Loo, Chin-Ru Ker, Ming-Ping Wu, and Yung-Chin Lee.
• Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Jun 1; 120 (6): 1305-1313.

Background/PurposeTo investigate the effects of simulated childbirth on the gene expression of parasympathetic muscarinic, purinergic (P2X), and neurokinin receptors of lower urinary tract in rats.MethodsIn all, twenty-four primiparous pregnant Sprague-Dawley female rats were equally divided into three groups: (1). Control group; 8 rats, (2) intra-vaginal balloon dilation for 2 h group; 8 rats, (3) and for 4 h group; 8 rats. After balloon dilatation for 4 months, all rats were sacrificed. We analyzed the gene expression of parasympathetic muscarinic, purinergic (P2X), and neurokinin receptors by real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR). We quantified pro-inflammatory cytokines of TNF-α and IL-6 by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The urodynamic parameters and micturition frequency by cystometry (CMG) were recorded.ResultsOur results showed that the balloon dilation significantly increased micturition frequency and modified peak micturition pressure compare to those in the control groups. Balloon dilation significantly decreased voiding interval and bladder volume compared to those in the control groups. Gene expressions of M3 muscarinic, P2X3 purinergic receptors, and significantly increased following balloon dilation for 2 hours and 4 hours than those in the control group. In addition, we found that NK1R and NK3R receptors were significantly decreased after balloon dilation compare to control group. The marked increase of TNF-α and IL-6 were also seen in the 2 balloon groups.ConclusionThe results of our study suggested that birth trauma may impair the function of urinary tract, this being partly related to the changes in the gene expression of the neurotransmitter receptors of the lower urinary tract.Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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