title: Erythropoietin accelerates the regeneration of ureteral function in a murine model of obstructive uropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Unilateral ureteral obstruction halts ureteral peristalsis, and may cause pain and lead to infection. Ureteral ability to recover after obstruction removal remains unclear. Erythropoietin has protective effects in nonhematopoietic organs and restores peristalsis in hypocontractile intestinal smooth muscle cells. We investigated the role of erythropoietin in ureteral smooth muscle function and its therapeutic value for unilateral ureteral obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unilateral ureteral obstruction was created for 24, 48 and 72 hours in 22 mice per group using a nontraumatic microclip via laparotomy. We determined erythropoietin, erythropoietin receptor and β-common receptor expression in obstructed and unobstructed ureters by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Ten mice per group received 20 IU erythropoietin for 4 days and controls received saline. Hydronephrosis regression after obstruction removal was assessed by ultrasound. Peristalsis was determined microscopically before and after obstruction removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Erythropoietin, erythropoietin receptor and β-common receptor were expressed in the unobstructed and obstructed ureters of untreated mice. Erythropoietin mRNA was up-regulated in response to obstruction and erythropoietin expression was identified in ureteral smooth muscle. After obstruction removal hydronephrosis and ureteral dysfunction correlated with obstruction duration. Hydronephrosis resolution and ureteral peristalsis restoration were significantly accelerated in erythropoietin treated mice compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Erythropoietin treatment significantly promoted functional recovery of the ureter after obstruction removal. Erythropoietin may be a helpful strategy for ureteral motility recovery and hydronephrosis resolution in ureteral obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Stone Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Urology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.affiliation: Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moskalev
authors.affiliation: Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Ladan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fazli
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Thüroff
authors.affiliation: Stone Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: dirk.lange@ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lange
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014521:Urethra / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin
keywords: erythropoietin; hydronephrosis; muscle; peristalsis; smooth; ureteral obstruction