Protective effects of grape suspension on in vivo ischaemia/reperfusion of the rabbit bladder.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential protective effect of a grape suspension in a rabbit model of in vivo bilateral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), which is a causal factor in obstructive bladder dysfunction.


METHODS
Six groups of four New Zealand White rabbits were treated by twice-daily gavage with aqueous grape suspension (groups 1-3) or sugar-water vehicle (groups 4-6) for 3 weeks. Groups 1 and 4 then received bilateral ischaemia for 2 h, and groups 2 and 5 received bilateral ischaemia for 2 h and reperfusion (recovery) for 1 week. Groups 3 and 6 were controls (sham-operated). The effects on cystometry, in vitro contractile responses, and morphology were evaluated.


RESULTS
Ischaemia resulted in significant reductions in the contractile responses to all forms of stimulation in vehicle-fed rabbits, whereas there were no reductions in grape-fed rabbits. Contractile responses were significantly reduced in both I/R groups, but significantly more in vehicle-fed than in grape-fed rabbits. Immunohistochemical studies showed less hypoxia in the bladders of grape-fed rabbits than in vehicle-fed rabbits for both ischaemia-only and I/R groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Feeding rabbits with grape suspension provided significant protection against the hypoxic effects of bilateral ischaemia and I/R.
Lin
Alpha Dian-Yu
AD
Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Mannikarottu
Anita
A
Chaudhry
Ahsen
A
Whitbeck
Catherine
C
Kogan
Barry A
BA
Chichester
Paul
P
Levin
Robert M
RM
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000098:blood supply*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027843:Vitis
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts