title: TRP channels in lower  urinary tract dysfunction.
abstract: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTd) represents a major healthcare problem. Although it is mostly not lethal, associated social disturbance, medical costs, loss of productivity and especially diminished quality of life should not be underestimated. Although more than 15% of people suffer from a form of LUTd to some extent, pathophysiology often remains obscure. In the past 20 years, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have become increasingly important in this field of research. These intriguing ion channels are believed to be the main molecular sensors that generate bladder sensation. Therefore, they are intensely pursued as new drug targets for both curative and symptomatic treatment of different forms of LUTd. TRPV1 was the first of its class to be investigated. Actually, even before this channel was cloned, it had already been targeted in the bladder, with clinical trials of intravesical capsaicin instillations. Several other polymodally gated TRP channels, particularly TRPM8, TRPA1 and TRPV4, also appear to play a prominent role in bladder (patho)physiology. With this review, we provide a brief overview of current knowledge on the role of these TRP channels in LUTd and their potential as molecular targets for treatment.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franken
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Uvin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ridder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Voets
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D064804:Urological Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D049990:Membrane Transport Modulators; D050051:Transient Receptor Potential Channels; D064804:Urological Agents