title: Effect of stress on the expression of rho-kinase and collagen in rat bladder tissue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effect of stress on the pathophysiology of bladder stability in terms of enzyme levels, Rho-kinase, and bladder relaxation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in scheduled stress environments for 7, 14, and 28 days; 24 rats were in the control group and 24 rats were in the test (stressed) group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Estrogen decreased significantly whereas testosterone and dopamine increased significantly in the stress group (p<0.05). Rho-kinase was significantly increased in the rats exposed to stress stimuli for 14 days (p<0.05). Collagen types I and III in the bladder tissue were significantly higher in rats exposed to stress for 14 days and 28 days (collagen type I in the 14-day group, p<0.01; collagen type I in the 28-day group, p<0.05; collagen type III in the 14-day and 28-day groups, p<0.05). Voiding frequency increased significantly as the duration of stress exposure was prolonged, in addition to a significant decrease in volume per voiding (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The changes observed in micturition pattern, factors that contribute to smooth muscle contraction, and relaxation in the female rat bladder support the hypothesis that stress affects bladder stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Donghyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyemin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Hyunsuk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jaeyeong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoo