Korean J Urol.  2010 Feb;51(2):132-138.

Effect of Stress on the Expression of Rho-Kinase and Collagen in Rat Bladder Tissue

• Yoon H
• Lee D
• Chun K
• Yoon H
• Yoo J

Abstract

PURPOSE: We examined the effect of stress on the pathophysiology of bladder stability in terms of enzyme levels, Rho-kinase, and bladder relaxation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in scheduled stress environments for 7, 14, and 28 days; 24 rats were in the control group and 24 rats were in the test (stressed) group.
RESULTS
Estrogen decreased significantly whereas testosterone and dopamine increased significantly in the stress group (p<0.05). Rho-kinase was significantly increased in the rats exposed to stress stimuli for 14 days (p<0.05). Collagen types I and III in the bladder tissue were significantly higher in rats exposed to stress for 14 days and 28 days (collagen type I in the 14-day group, p<0.01; collagen type I in the 28-day group, p<0.05; collagen type III in the 14-day and 28-day groups, p<0.05). Voiding frequency increased significantly as the duration of stress exposure was prolonged, in addition to a significant decrease in volume per voiding (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The changes observed in micturition pattern, factors that contribute to smooth muscle contraction, and relaxation in the female rat bladder support the hypothesis that stress affects bladder stability.

Keyword

Physiology; Urinary bladder

MeSH Terms

Animals
Collagen
Collagen Type I
Collagen Type III
Contracts
Dopamine
Estrogens
Female
Humans
Muscle, Smooth
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Relaxation
rho-Associated Kinases
Testosterone
Urinary Bladder
Urination
Collagen
Collagen Type I
Collagen Type III
Dopamine
Estrogens
Testosterone
rho-Associated Kinases

Figure

• 

  FIG. 1 Immunoreactivity pattern for type I collagen, type III collagen, and Rho-kinase (ROKα) in the rat bladder after immunohistochemical staining (×100) (Stress group: A-I; Control group: J-R).

• 

  FIG. 2 Western blot analysis of the protein expression of Rho-kinase (ROKα). Control group: female rats in a comfortable general environment (n=24). Stress group: female rats under stressful condition (n=24). Analysis of significance was performed between the stress and control groups, with a significant difference in the 14-day stress group, a: p=0.015.

• 

  FIG. 3 Western blot analysis of the protein expression of Rho-kinase (ROKα). Control group: female rats in a comfortable general environment (n=24). Stress group: female rats under stressful condition (n=24). (A) Expression of collagen type I. Significant differences were noted in the 14-day and 28-day stress groups, (a: p=0.003, b: p=0.047), respectively. (B) Expression of collagen type III. Significant differences were noted in the 7-day and 28-day stress groups (c: p=0.015, d: p=0.021).

• 

  FIG. 4 Micturition behavior of the rats, with and without stress. (A) Frequency of voiding during 3 observational hours (p<0.05). (B) Volume (µl)/void in the stress and control groups with cumulative experimental days (a: p<0.05, b: p<0.01).

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