Increased urinary levels of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein suggest a systemic etiology of interstitial cystitis.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the role of Tamm-Horsfall protein in interstitial cystitis.


METHODS
Urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein excretion was analyzed in interstitial cystitis patients and controls, and bladder biopsy specimens were stained immunohistochemically for Tamm-Horsfall protein.


RESULTS
Urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein levels in 28 women with interstitial cystitis were statistically significantly greater than those in 25 female controls. No positive staining for Tamm-Horsfall protein was demonstrated in the bladder tissue from 10 interstitial cystitis cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The results support the notion that interstitial cystitis may have a systemic etiology. In addition, this assay might have clinical value in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.
Bade
J J
JJ
Department of Urology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Marrink
J
J
Karrenbeld
A
A
van der Weele
L
L
Mensink
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009088:Mucoproteins / Q000652:urine*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D058949:Uromodulin
D009088:Mucoproteins; C548612:UMOD protein, human; D058949:Uromodulin