Urinary epitectin (MUC-1 glycoprotein) in the menstrual cycle and interstitial cystitis.
OBJECTIVE
We compared interstitial cystitis and control urine specimens for epitectin (MUC-1 glycoprotein), an epithelial mucin.


METHODS
Urinary epitectin was measured in 28 patients with interstitial cystitis and 26 healthy controls. Ten controls provided multiple urine samples to determine whether urinary epitectin changes with the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
Epitectin levels were stable throughout the menstrual cycle. Interstitial cystitis cases had decreased urinary epitectin-to-creatinine ratios (mean 3.89 versus 6.38 micrograms./mg. creatinine for controls, p = 0.0035) and epitectin concentrations (mean 1.96 versus 4.30 micrograms./ml., respectively, p = 0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased mean urinary epitectin levels may reflect a cause (epithelial mucin deficiency) or a consequence of interstitial cystitis.
Erickson
D R
DR
Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, USA.
Mast
S
S
Ordille
S
S
Bhavanandan
V P
VP
D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000652:urine*; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000652:urine*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000652:urine*
D018396:Mucin-1; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D003404:Creatinine