title: Post-stimulation inhibitory effect on reflex bladder activity induced by activation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined whether transcutaneous electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot of cats would induce a post-stimulation increase in bladder capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 12 α-chloralose anesthetized cats electrical stimulation (5 Hz) was applied to the skin of the hind foot for 2, 30-minute periods via dual pad electrodes attached on the plantar and dorsal surfaces (combination 1 and 2) or at 2 sites on the plantar surface (combination 1 and 3). The post-stimulation effect was examined by repeat cystometrogram after 30-minute stimulation. In the control group of 12 cats isovolumetric contractions were allowed to continue during each 30-minute period without stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stimulation inhibited isovolumetric rhythmic bladder contractions. Bladder capacity was not increased after the first 30-minute foot stimulation via electrodes 1 and 2 but it was significantly increased a mean ± SE of 47.5% ± 2.9% after the second 30-minute stimulation via electrodes 1 and 3. After inducing the post-stimulation effect the foot stimulation applied during cystometrograms via electrodes 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 elicited a further increase in bladder capacity (mean 23.26% ± 17.64% and 20.07% ± 18.59%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that the transcutaneous plantar electrical stimulation of somatic afferent nerves in the foot can induce a post-stimulation increase in bladder capacity, suggesting that an intermittent stimulation pattern rather than continuous stimulation might be effective as clinical application to treat overactive bladder symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: P Dafe
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Ogagan
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Jicheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Roppolo
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: de Groat
authors.forename: Changfeng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tai
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*
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