title: Increased bladder permeability in interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.
abstract: The definition of interstitial cystitis (IC) has evolved over the years from being a well-defined entity characterized by diagnostic lesion (Hunner's ulcer) in the urothelium to a clinical diagnosis by exclusion (painful bladder syndrome (PBS). Although the etiology is unknown, a central theme has been an association with increased permeability of the bladder. This article reviews the evidence for increased permeability being important to the symptoms of IC/PBS and in treating the disorder. Recent work showing cross-communication among visceral organs is also reviewed to provide a basis for understanding IC/PBS as a systemic disorder of a complex, interconnected system consisting of the bladder, bowel and other organs, nerves, cytokine-responding cells and the nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Oklahoma Center for Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Oklahoma Center for Neurosciences, College of Medicine, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Greenwood-Van Meerveld
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: VanGordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: HsuehKung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
authors.forename: Bradley P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kropp
authors.affiliation: Advanced Magnetic Resonance Center, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104.
authors.forename: Rheal A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Towner
keywords: Animal; Cystitis; Interstitial; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Models; Permeability; Urinary bladder