Downregulation of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K+ channel in the spinal cord of rats after complete bladder outlet obstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To study the altered expression of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel in the L6-S1 spinal cord of rats after complete bladder outlet obstruction, and to investigate the role of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel in the neurogenic mechanism of bladder dysfunction.


METHODS
Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a complete bladder outlet obstruction group and a sham-operated control group. Cystometry was carried out and tissues of L6-S1 spinal cord were obtained for detection of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel mRNA and protein by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The bladder outlet obstruction rat model was established. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel was lower in the L6-S1 spinal cord of the bladder outlet obstruction rats, compared with the control rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Downregulation of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel might enhance the excitability of the neurons and increase the sensitivity of the bladder, probably providing a new study model of overactive bladder secondary to bladder outlet obstruction.
Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Xilian
X
Wu
Yueyou
Y
Liang
Zhongyun
Z
Zhang
Mingxin
M
Cao
Weijie
W
Liang
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
C503434:Kcnk4 protein, rat; D015221:Potassium Channels; D012333:RNA, Messenger