title: Neuropeptides in lower urinary tract function.
abstract: Numerous neuropeptide/receptor systems including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A, bradykinin, and endothelin-1 are expressed in the lower urinary tract (LUT) in both neural and nonneural (e.g., urothelium) components. LUT neuropeptide immunoreactivity is present in afferent and autonomic efferent neurons innervating the bladder and urethra and in the urothelium of the urinary bladder. Neuropeptides have tissue-specific distributions and functions in the LUT and exhibit neuroplastic changes in expression and function with LUT dysfunction following neural injury, inflammation, and disease. LUT dysfunction with abnormal voiding, including urinary urgency, increased voiding frequency, nocturia, urinary incontinence, and pain, may reflect a change in the balance of neuropeptides in bladder reflex pathways. LUT neuropeptide/receptor systems may represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arms
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vizzard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000378:metabolism; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism; D012018:Reflex; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000378:metabolism; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000294:innervation*; D014554:Urination; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D015320:Tachykinins; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D001920:Bradykinin