This study was set to explore the role of P2X2 and P2X5 as the important molecules in sensory afferent of bladder in female overactive bladder (OAB) patients with the bladder hyperesthesia. Sixty-eight OAB patients admitted in Southwest Hospital affiliated to the Third Military Medical University during September, 2011-December, 2012 were selected and included in the experimental group (OAB group) and 30 healthy volunteers during the same period were included as the control group. We recorded voiding diary and urodynamic results, and immunohistochemistry analysis was used to detect P2X2 and P2X5 receptor in interstitial cell of Caja (ICC) in bladder tissue of female OAB patients and healthy volunteers, to tentatively explore the effect of P2X2 and P2X5 in bladder hyperesthesia. Urodynamic study has important diagnostic value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of OAB. P2X2 receptor was significantly up-regulated in bladder ICC in OAB group. The blockage of P2X2 receptor could significantly inhibit the contraction of bladder muscle strips, decrease the bladder pressure and the electric discharge of pelvic nerve. PET and urodynamic study showed that micturition desire sense in PAG area of pons in OAB patients was significantly increased compared with the control group. The up-regulation of P2X2 in ICC is an important factor to cause bladder hyperesthesia in OAB patients. PET and urodynamic study indicate that the bladder-originated nervous impulses are important cause of OAB. This study provides a basis for the study of P2X2 receptor in ICC in bladder hyperesthesia of OAB patients.
Keywords: Bladder hyperesthesia; Bladder interstitial cells of Cajal; Overactive bladder; P2X2 receptor; P2X5 receptor.