Cyclical estrogen and free radical damage to the rabbit urinary bladder.
OBJECTIVE
There are a number of lower urinary tract dysfunctions (LUTD) that occur primarily in women. Our hypothesis is that cyclical estrogen will produce LUTD in part by the generation of free radicals and oxidative damage to cellular and subcellular membranes.


METHODS
Twenty female rabbits were divided into five groups: control, ovariectomized (Ovx), Ovx receiving continuous estrogen, Ovx receiving cyclical estrogen ending off estrogen, and Ovx receiving cyclical estrogen ending on estrogen. Statistical analyses used ANOVA followed by the Tukey analysis for individual differences.


RESULTS
High estrogen increased bladder mass, contraction, compliance, and blood flow and decreased oxidative damage. Low estrogen decreased bladder mass, contraction, compliance, and blood flow and increased oxidative damage.


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased blood flow associated with increased oxidative damage demonstrates that cyclical damage to cellular membranes occurs. This supports the hypothesis that cycling estrogen may play a role in the etiology of LUTD of women.
Rehfuss
Alexandra
A
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Schuler
Catherine
C
Maxemous
Christina
C
Leggett
Robert E
RE
Levin
Robert M
RM
D000818:Animals; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010052:Ovariectomy; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011817:Rabbits; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*
D004140:Dinitrophenols; D004967:Estrogens; D005609:Free Radicals; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine