title: Changes of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) expression in a rat model of overactive bladder induced by partial urethral obstruction: is NRG-1 a new biomarker of overactive bladder?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine whether neuregulin-1(NRG-1) is a potential new biomarker of overactive bladder (OAB) induced by partial urethral obstruction in a rat model of OAB and to evaluate the urothelium as a therapeutic target of OAB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into three 20-animal groups: normal, OAB, and 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT)-treated OAB. In the OAB and OAB + 5-HMT groups, the urethra of each animal was partially obstructed; the OAB + 5-HMT group received intravenous 5-HMT for 3 weeks. At the conclusion of the 5-HMT dosing, the rats in each group underwent cystometrography, and the bladders were histologically evaluated. The expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and NRG-1 were evaluated in the urothelium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, the OAB group showed a markedly increased bladder weight and a significant decrease in the micturition interval and volume; rats in the OAB + 5-HMT group showed decreased bladder weights and an improved micturition interval and volume. BDNF and NRG-1 were expressed at significantly higher levels in the OAB group, and were significantly reduced in the OAB + 5-HMT group compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that NRG-1 is a potential new biomarker of OAB; the urothelium might be a therapeutic target for OAB treatment.
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Dong Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: The Department of Urology, The Catholic University of Korea, DaeJeon St, Mary's Hospital, Daeheung-dong, jug-gu, Daejeon, South Korea. doctor6@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Seung Mo
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020890:Neuregulin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000378:metabolism*; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020890:Neuregulin-1; C490580:Nrg1 protein, rat