Decrease in Rabbit Bladder Mucosal Glycoprotein after Oophorectomy

Abstract

Hormonal manipulation has been shown to result in less efficient bladder clearance of bacteria. We describe the use of a double antibody technique to semiquantitatively demonstrate the diminution of bladder glycoproteins from the transitional epithelium in oophorectomized rabbits. Rabbit bladder glycoprotein was isolated and used to immunize Swiss-Webster mice. Bladders of normal and oophorectomized rabbits were sequentially stained with mouse antirabbit sera and fluoresceinated goat antimouse antibody. A significant loss of bladder epithelial glycoprotein was evident in oophorectomized rabbits as compared to controls. This study, utilizing a semiquantitative immunologic staining technique, suggests an intact glycoprotein layer is important in the bladder defense mechanism.

Urinary tract glycoprotein: distribution and antigenic specificity

“…It has been proposed that GP1 functions as a protective mucosal barrier, preventing access of bacteria to underlying epithelial cells and aiding in their eventual removal through voiding. This hypothesis is supported by previous studies showing that a significant loss of GP1 in oophorectimized rabbits correlates with prolonged infection [24] and that GP1 can bind nonspecifically to various enteric bacteria (mannose-resistant, MR, and mannose-sensitive, MS) isolated from patients urine [12,20]. Conversely, THP eliminates pathogens through the voiding mechanism.…”

“…This mucin layer is thought to protect the bladder against pathogenic bacterial adherence and insult by noxious elements found in the urine. Disruption of this layer by acid treatment [13,16] or hormonal manipulation [13,24] has been shown to lead to a 20-to 100-fold increase in bacterial adsorption to bladder epithelial cells [19]. Furthermore, restoration of normal levels of bladder mucin is achieved within 24 h if left untreated or the mucin layer can be artificially restored with exogenous anionic polymers such as heparin or pentosan polysulfate [5].…”

“…Investigators have individually associated THP [14,18] and GP1 [12,20,24] with the primary defense mechanism of the bladder. It has been proposed that GP1 functions as a protective mucosal barrier, preventing access of bacteria to underlying epithelial cells and aiding in their eventual removal through voiding.…”