Korean J Urol.  2004 Sep;45(9):897-902.

Effects of Connexin Expression on Detrusor Overactivity in Male Patients with Bladder Outlet Obstruction Caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

• Cha SH
• Kim JC
• Hwang TK

Abstract

PURPOSE: Detrusor overactivity is frequently associated with bladder outlet obstruction, which may be related with increased electrical coupling. The effects of connexin 43(Cx43) and connexin 26(Cx26) mRNA expressions on the detrusor over activity were studied.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
36 male patients, with a bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), were subdivided into those with and without detrusor overactivity(DO) based on urodynamic studies: DO(+) and DO(-) group. All patients underwent a bladder biopsy during TUR-P. The symptoms, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate size, serum prostatic specific antigen(PSA) value and urodynamic parameters were compared between the two groups. The expressions of Cx43 and Cx26 mRNA in each group were analyzed by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).
RESULTS
There were no differences in age, IPSS score, prostate volume, PSA and free Qmax between the DO(+) and DO(-) groups. The expressions of Cx43 and Cx26 mRNA in the DO(+) group were significantly increased compared with those in the DO(-) group.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show there is a change in the expressions of the Cx43 and Cx26 according to the bladder function, which may be related to detrusor overactivity in patients with a bladder outlet obstruction.

Keyword

Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Bladder; Connexins

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Connexin 43
Connexins
Humans
Male*
Prostate
Prostatic Hyperplasia*
RNA, Messenger
RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction*
Urinary Bladder*
Urodynamics
Connexin 43
Connexins
RNA, Messenger
RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase