Urodynamic characteristics of awake rats under retrained versus freely moving condition: Using a novel model

Abstract

Urodynamic investigation in conscious rats is widely employed to explore functional bladder disorders of various etiologies and pathogeneses. Rats can be placed in restraining cages or wide cabinets where they are allowed to move freely during cystometry. However, the requirements of special devices hampered the application of urodynamic test in freely moving rats, and whether the restraint has any effects on urodynamic parameters in conscious rats remains obscure. In the present study, we described a novel approach for urodynamic investigation in both restrained and freely moving conscious rats. In addition, we for the first time systematically compared the urodynamic parameters of rats in the two conditions. With the current method, we successfully recorded stable and repeatable intravesical pressure traces and collected expected reliable data, which supported the idea that the restraint does not affect the activity of the micturition reflex in rats, provided sufficient and appropriate measures could be applied during cystometry. Fewer technique problems were encountered during urodynamic examination in restrained rats than in freely moving ones. Taken together, conscious cystometry in rats placed in restraining cages with proper managements is a reliable and practical approach for evaluating the detrusor activity and bladder function.

Keywords

urodynamics / cystometry / bladder function / rat / restraint

References

[1] FrankenJ, UvinP, De RidderD, et al. . TRP channels in lower urinary tract dysfunction. Br J Pharmacol, 2014, 171(10): 2537-2551 PMID: 24895732 PMCID: 4008998

[2] YamaguchiO. Latest treatment for lower urinary tract dysfunction: therapeutic agents and mechanism of action. Int J Urol, 2013, 20(1): 28-39 PMID: 23190275

[3] AnderssonKE, SolerR, FullhaseC. Rodent models for urodynamic investigation. Neurourol Urodyn, 2011, 30(5): 636-646 PMID: 21661007

[4] GammieA, ClarksonB, ConstantinouC, et al. . International Continence Society guidelines on urodynamic equipment performance. Neurourol Urodyn, 2014, 33(4): 370-379 PMID: 24390971

[5] OzkurkcugilC, OzkanL. Effects of anesthetics on cystometric parameters in female rats. Int Urol Nephrol, 2010, 42(4): 909-913 PMID: 20464486

[6] PehrsonR, StenmanE, AnderssonKE. Effects of tramadol on rat detrusor overactivity induced by experimental cerebral infarction. Eur Urol, 2003, 44(4): 495-499 PMID: 14499688

[7] FullhaseC, SolerR, GratzkeC, et al. . Spinal effects of the fesoterodine metabolite 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine and/or doxazosin in rats with or without partial urethral obstruction. J Urol, 2010, 184(2): 783-789 PMID: 20639056

[8] MorikawaK, KakiuchiM, FukuokaM, et al. . Effects of various drugs on bladder function in conscious restrained-denervated rats placed in a restraining cage and produced by transection of the hypogastric nerve. Jpn J Pharmacol, 1990, 52(3): 405-411 PMID: 2332937

[9] SchneiderMP, HughesFMJr, EngmannAK, et al. . A novel urodynamic model for lower urinary tract assessment in awake rats. BJU Int, 2015, 115: 8-15 PMID: 25597776

[10] SekidoN, KidaJ, WakamatsuD, et al. . Effects of alpha1 antagonist and cholinesterase inhibitor on cystometric parameters in lumbar canal stenosis rats with underactive bladder. Urology, 2014, 84(5): e1249-e1215

[11] HughesFMJr, VivarNP, KennisJG, et al. . Inflammasomes are important mediators of cyclophosphamide-induced bladder inflammation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2014, 306(3): F299-F308 PMID: 24285499 PMCID: 4073918

[12] LaurenA, MargaretAV. Expression and function of CXCL12/CXCR4 in rat urinary bladder with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2009, 298(3): F589-F600

[13] ArmsL, GirardBM, MalleySE, et al. . Expression and function of CCL2/CCR2 in rat micturition reflexes and somatic sensitivity with urinary bladder inflammation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2013, 305(1): F111-F122 PMID: 23594826 PMCID: 3725675

[14] StrengT, TaloA, AnderssonKE. Transmitters contributing to the voiding contraction in female rats. BJU Int, 2004, 94(6): 910-914 PMID: 15476534

[15] ChienCT, YuHJ, LinTB, et al. . Neural mechanisms of impaired micturition reflex in rats with acute partial bladder outlet obstruction. Neuroscience, 2000, 96(1): 221-230 PMID: 10683426

[16] AizawaN, OgawaS, SugiyamaR, et al. . Influence of urethane-anesthesia on the effect of resiniferatoxin treatment on bladder function in rats with spinal cord injury. Neurourol Urodyn, 2015, 34(3): 274-279 PMID: 24375785

[17] MatsuuraS, DownieJW. Effect of anesthetics on reflex micturition in the chronic cannula-implanted rat. Neurourol Urodyn, 2000, 19(1): 87-99 PMID: 10602250