Posterior tibial nerve stimulation improves neurogenic bladder in rats with spinal cord injury through transient receptor potential/P2X signaling pathway

Neurourol Urodyn. 2022 Mar;41(3):756-764. doi: 10.1002/nau.24885. Epub 2022 Feb 7.

Abstract

Background: To study the influences of posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) on neurogenic bladder and the expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and P2X receptors in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) and explore the possible mechanism.

Methods: SCI model was established by modified Allen's method and PTNS was performed. Urodynamic indexes and Haematoxylin and Eosine staining of bladder tissue were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. The expression of TRP channels and P2X receptors in the bladder and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.

Results: The low compliance of bladder in treatment group was significantly improved compared with SCI group, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in bladder tissue was significantly reduced. At the same time, the expression of TRP and P2X in bladder and DRG was partially restored after the treatment of PTNS.

Conclusions: PTNS is an effective therapy for SCI-induced neurogenic bladder via the TRP/P2X signaling pathway.

Keywords: P2X; TRP; eurogenic bladder; posterior tibial nerve stimulation; spinal cord injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord Injuries* / complications
  • Spinal Cord Injuries* / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord Injuries* / therapy
  • Tibial Nerve
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels* / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* / etiology
  • Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* / therapy

Substances

  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels