Microcirculation of the urinary bladder in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion-induced cystitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the microcirculatory disturbances in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion-induced cystitis using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy.


METHODS
Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiments. In 10 animals, warm ischemia of the bladder was induced for 60 minutes. After 30 minutes of reperfusion, microvascular macromolecular leakage, leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, venular red blood cell velocity, functional capillary density, and the arteriolar and venular diameters were determined by intravital videomicroscopy. In addition, the intravesical pressure and macrohemodynamic parameters were assessed during the experiments. Sham-operated animals served as the controls (n = 10).


RESULTS
After ischemia-reperfusion, the numbers of rolling and firmly adherent leukocytes in the postcapillary venules were significantly increased. Venular red blood cell velocity and functional capillary density, as well as the arteriolar and venular diameters, were significantly decreased. The macromolecular leakage had increased in both arterioles and venules.


CONCLUSIONS
After ischemia-reperfusion, inflammatory reactions and microcirculatory failure were observed in the urinary bladder. This study targeted the microcirculatory consequences of cystitis using intravital videomicroscopy. Because the parameters investigated are relevant not only for ischemia-reperfusion of the urinary bladder but also for cystitis caused by other stimuli, this model represents a novel tool in the field of inflammation research in urology.
Bajory
Zoltn
Z
Institute for Surgical Research, University of Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Germany.
Hutter
J rg
Jr
Krombach
Fritz
F
Messmer
Konrad
K
D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003556:Cystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000098:blood supply*; D014699:Venules / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology