Pathophysiology and Animal Modeling of Underactive Bladder

Abstract

While the symptomology of underactive bladder (UAB) may imply a primary dysfunction of the detrusor muscle, insights into pathophysiology indicate that both myogenic and neurogenic mechanisms need to be considered. Due to lack of proper animal models, the current understanding of the UAB pathophysiology is limited, and much of what is known about the clinical etiology of the condition has been derived from epidemiological data. We hereby review

Understanding underactive bladder: a review of the contemporary literature

“…Ideal animal models to study UAB pathophysiological mechanisms are those that have an integrative physiology of the LUT, as well as of the voiding neural control similar to humans. 41 …”

“… 20 42 Moreover, aged mouse and rat models also show decreased bladder volume sensitivity and increased voiding pressure threshold, which is suggestive of an impaired afferent activity. 41 42 …”

“…On the contrary, central models represent those resulting from injuries in the spinal cord, brainstem or higher centers, and include lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) models, pelvic nerve injury models, and ventral avulsion models. 11 41 …”

“…Moreover, they have also demonstrated an impaired urethral afferent activity leading to the reduction or premature ending of the micturition reflex, and consequently, to a decreased voiding efficiency. 41 …”

“…Consequently, this animal model revealed a decreased detrusor contractility and an impaired voiding efficiency. 41 …”