OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of central nervous system regulation in patients with refractory overactive bladder (rOAB) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), and to analyze the differences in brain function and connection between the patients and healthy population. METHODS: From May 1 to November 30, 2024, we performed rs-fMRI for 47 rOAB patients and another 47 matched healthy controls, documented relevant clinical data from all the participants and obtained their Overactive Bladder Symptom Scores (OABSS) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-Q) scores. Based on rs-fMRI, we compared the results of Independent Component Analysis (ICA), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree centrality (DC) between the rOAB patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: The rOAB patients, in comparison with the healthy controls, showed dramatically higher daytime urination frequency (11.64 ± 3.85) vs (5.76 ± 0.91), nighttime urination frequency (3.72 ± 1.64) vs (0.31 ± 0.47), OABSS (8.22 ± 2.21) vs (0.64±0.78), OAB-Q1 score (20.85 ± 5.28) vs (6.78 ± 1.04), and OAB-Q2 score (45.04 ± 12.11) vs (14.51 ± 1.66) (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the results of ICA and ALFF between the right superior frontal and right middle frontal regions in the rOAB patients (P>0.05), but fALFF, ReHo and DC were significantly decreased in the patients compared with those in the healthy controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Compared with healthy population, the functions and connection of the frontal superior right and frontal middle right brain regions in rOAB patients are significantly down-regulated, which may serve as new therapeutic targets.
Humans ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Case-Control Studies ; Middle Aged ; Rest ; Brain Mapping

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

PURPOSE: We compared bladder and urethral functions following radical prostatectomy (RP) between men with and without urinary incontinence (UI), using a large-scale database from SNU-experts-of-urodynamics-leading (SEOUL) Study Group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since July 2004, we have prospectively collected data on urodynamics from 303 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) following RP at three affiliated hospitals of SEOUL Study Group. After excluding 35 patients with neurogenic abnormality, pelvic irradiation after surgery, or a history of surgery on the lower urinary tract, 268 men were evaluated. We compared the urodynamic findings between men who had LUTS with UI (postprostatectomy incontinence [PPI] group) and those who had LUTS without UI (non-PPI group). RESULTS: The mean age at an urodynamic study was 68.2 years. Overall, a reduced bladder compliance (< or =20 mL/cmH2O) was shown in 27.2% of patients; and 31.3% patients had idiopathic detrusor overactivity. The patients in the PPI group were older (p=0.001) at an urodynamic study and had a lower maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) (p<0.001), as compared with those in the non-PPI group. Bladder capacity and detrusor pressure during voiding were also significantly lower in the PPI group. In the logistic regression, only MUCP and maximum cystometric capacity were identified as the related factor with the presence of PPI. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, significant number of patients with LUTS following RP showed a reduced bladder compliance and detrusor overactivity. PPI is associated with both impairment of the urethral closuring mechanism and bladder storage dysfunction.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Prostatectomy/*adverse effects/methods ; Urethra/*physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder/*physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/complications ; Urinary Incontinence/*etiology/physiopathology ; Urodynamics/physiology

PURPOSE: To determine whether levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) can be used to objectively assess overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) treatment outcome and to evaluate the effects of fixed-dose fesoterodine on OAB symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 124 participants (62 patients with OAB and 62 controls) in Severance Hospital between 2010 and 2012. In patients with OAB, 4 mg fesoterodine was administered once daily. Repeated evaluations of putative biomarker levels, urine creatinine (Cr) levels, and questionnaire responses, including the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB q), were performed from baseline to 16 weeks. RESULTS: Urinary levels of NGF/Cr (OAB: 1.13+/-0.9 pg/mg; control: 0.5+/-0.29 pg/mg) and HB-EGF/Cr (OAB: 8.73+/-6.55 pg/mg; control: 4.45+/-2.93 pg/mg) were significantly higher in subjects with OAB than in controls (p<0.001). After 16 weeks of fixed-dose fesoterodine treatment, urinary NGF/Cr levels (baseline: 1.13+/-0.08 pg/mg; 16 weeks: 0.60+/-0.4 pg/mg; p=0.02) and HB-EGF/Cr levels significantly decreased (baseline: 8.73+/-6.55 pg/mg; 16 weeks: 4.72+/-2.69 pg/mg; p=0.03, respectively). Both the OABSS and OAB q scores improved (p<0.001). However, there were no a statistically significant correlations between these urinary markers and symptomatic scores. CONCLUSION: Urinary levels of NGF and HB-EGF may be potential biomarkers for evaluating outcome of OAB treatment. Fixed-dose fesoterodine improved OAB symptoms. Future studies are needed to further examine the significance of urinary NGF and HB-EGF levels as therapeutic markers for OAB.
Adult ; Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology/*therapeutic use ; Biological Markers/urine ; Case-Control Studies ; Creatinine/urine ; Female ; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor/*urine ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factor/*urine ; Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/*drug therapy/physiopathology/*urine ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo analyze the parameters of urodynamic tests for patients with type-III B prostatitis and evaluate the significance of the results of urodynamic tests in the choice of therapies for this disease.

METHODSUrodynamic tests were performed for 87 type-III B prostatitis patients aged 22-45 (30.7 ± 8.5) years, who had moderate or severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and failed to respond to routine therapy. Different treatments were administered according to the results of urodynamic tests followed by observation of the therapeutic effects.

RESULTSUrodynamic abnormalities were found in 70 of the 87 patients, bladder outlet obstruction in 28 (32.2%), detrusor overactivity in 25 (28.7%), bladder hyperesthesia in 18 (20.7%), low compliance in 10 (11.5%), detrusor-external urethral sphincter dyssynergia in 1 (1.1%), and impaired detrusor contractile function in 1 (1.1%). Treatments achieved obvious effectiveness in 26 cases (29.9%), effectiveness in 51 (58.6%), and no effectiveness in 10 (11.5%).

CONCLUSIONUrodynamic tests contribute significantly to the choice of therapies for type-III B prostatitis patients with moderate or severe LUTS.

Adult ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatitis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urethra ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; physiopathology ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on urodynamics indices in rats with overactive bladder (OAB) after cystostomy, and to explore its regulation mechanism on bladder function.

METHODSForty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats which received cystostomy were randomly divided into a blank group (group A), a blank Sanyinjiao group (group B), a blank non-acupoint group (group C), a model group (group D), a model Sanyinjiao group (group E) and a model non-acupoint group (group F), 8 rats in each one. The model of OAB was established with 1% acetic acid solution perfused into the bladder in the group D, group E and group F. No treatment was given to the group A and group D. Acupuncture was applied at bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) in the group B and group E, followed by EA after the arrival of qi. Acupuncture was applied at bilateral non-acupoint in the group C and group F, followed by EA with continuous wave, 2 Hz of frequency for 30 min. The treatment was given for continuous 5 urination cycles. The BL-420 E+ biological function experiment system was used to measure and record the changes of indices of bladder pressure and urodynamics.

RESULTSCompared with the group A, the bladder capacity and urine output in the group B were significantly increased (both P<0.05), and the urination rate was increased in the group C (P<0.05); the differences of each index between group C and group B were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Compared with the group D, the capacity pressure, bladder capacity, detrusor pressure, urinary output and urination rate in the group E were all increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the group F, the capacity pressure and detrusor pressure in the group E were increased (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe EA at "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) could significantly improve urine function in rats with OAB after cystostomy, but its regulation effect on urination is not obvious in rats with non-OAB.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cystostomy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy

PURPOSE: We assessed the impact of transobturator tape (TOT) treatment on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms with a particular focus on nocturia in patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 237 women who underwent TOT surgery for the treatment of MUI were reviewed. Of these, 86 patients (36.4%) had preoperative nocturia. Patients with neurological diseases or sleep disorders that could affect the voiding pattern were excluded. Patients who were being treated with anticholinergics and antidiuretic hormones were also excluded, which left 70 subjects eligible for analysis. Pre- and postoperative evaluations consisted of a physical examination, 3-day frequency-volume chart, and health-related quality of life questionnaires (King's health questionnaire, overactive bladder symptom score, and OAB-questionnaire). RESULTS: TOT treatment resulted in an overall significant improvement in OAB symptoms including nocturia. Frequency-volume charts revealed that TOT treatment significantly decreased the actual number of nightly voids (ANV) and the nocturnal bladder capacity index (NBCi) in the entire cohort. However, in a subgroup of women with nocturnal polyuria, there was no significant change in ANV or NBCi after the sling operation. Correlation analysis of the whole cohort revealed that the postoperative changes in NBCi correlated positively with postoperative changes in ANV. The nocturia-persisting group was more likely to have nocturnal polyuria and lower preoperative functional bladder capacity compared with the nocturia-improved group (p=0.024 and p=0.023, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that the TOT procedure resulted in an overall significant improvement in OAB symptoms including OAB-related nocturia in patients who presented with MUI.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nocturia/physiopathology/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; *Suburethral Slings ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology/*surgery ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology/*surgery ; Urodynamics/physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of overactive bladder after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) preventively treated with electroacupuncture and Tolterodine.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of benign prostate hyperplasia of TURP were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture and medicine group, an electroacupuncture group, a medicine group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. All the patients were treated with TURP under the continuous epidural anesthesia, and the catheter was retained for 5-7 days. In electroacupuncture group, before the surgery of the same day, Huiyang (BL 35), Ciliao (BL 32), Qugu (CV 2) and Huiyin (CV 1) were acupunctured with electroacupuncture for 30 min, once a day, 5-7 days' treatment was applied. In medicine group, Tolterodine Tartrate tablet was taken for 2 mg in the morning of surgery day, twice a day and treatment was applied for 5-7 days. In electroacupuncture and medicine group, the comprehensive therapies above in both electroacupuncture group and medicine group were applied. In control group, Pethidine of 50 mg was given by intramuscular injection when bladder was overactive, combined with Anisodamine injection of 10 mg according to the symptoms. The frequency and lasting time of bladder overactivity were compared within 72 hours after TURP in each group.

RESULTSAfter TURP, the frequency of bladder overactivity were 2-4 times a day, and lasted for 5-15 min each time in control group. The frequency and lasting time of bladder overactivity in treatment groups at different time were less than those in control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in comparison of frequency and lasting time of bladder overactivity between electroacupuncture and medicine group (all P > 0.05). The frequency and lasting time of bladder hyperactivity in electroacupuncture and medicine group were less than those in the electroacupuncture group and the medicine group at 24 hours, 24-48 hours, 48-72 hours after TUPR (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONAfter TURP, early prevention of combined therapy of electroacupuncture and Tolterodine with oral administration is superior to that of electroacupuncture therapy or Tolterodine for overactive bladder treatment, and it is the safe and effective method to treat overactive bladder.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cresols ; therapeutic use ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenylpropanolamine ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Complications ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Prostate ; surgery ; Tolterodine Tartrate ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; adverse effects ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

BACKGROUNDOveractive bladder (OAB) can be caused by many factors such as inflammation, bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic factors. We performed an intraperitoneal (ip) injection of cyclophosphamide to induce cystitis in rats, which causes their detrusors to overact, to provide a valuable disease model for discussing OAB pathogenesis and to study effective curing methods.

METHODSFemale Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to form cystitis by cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg, ip). The day after the injection, two catheters were inserted into each rat's bladder to study its urodynamics. The BL-410 model bio-function experimental system was used to monitor bladder pressure while the rats were conscious. Unstable detrusor contractions appear in the urine storage period as a standard to determine OAB, and the positive rate was calculated. Urodynamic parameters such as bladder basal pressure (BP), maximum voiding pressure (MVP), intercontraction interval (ICI), spontaneous activity (SA), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), and bladder compliance (BC) were recorded in each group, and a light microscope was used to observe the pathological changes in the rat bladder tissue.

RESULTSThe detrusor instability rate of the model group was 83.33%. The MVP, MCC and BC of rats in the model group were lower than the control group (P < 0.01), and the BP, ICI and SA of the model group rats were higher than the control group (P < 0.01). The difference between the control group and the model group is statistically significant. The model group rats' bladder walls swelled and bled, the submucosa thickened and leukocyte infiltration became serious.

CONCLUSIONSAcute cystitis and OAB symptoms can be induced by ip injections of cyclophosphamide in rats. This can provide a valuable animal model to study OAB in human beings.

Animals ; Consciousness ; Cyclophosphamide ; toxicity ; Female ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Urodynamics ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the urodynamic changes in patients with recent non-infective voiding dysfunction following radical hysterectomy and assess its significance.

METHODSNinety-six patients with cervical cancer, who were not found any abnormal representation of urodynamics before the operation, were selected into this study group. Eighty-three patients in the study group without urinary infection were detected by urodynamic examination following radical hysterectomy, in order to analyze the urodynamic reasons for the non-infective voiding dysfunction following the surgery.

RESULTSForty-two patients were found with non-infective voiding dysfunction after the operation. Low compliance bladder, bladder destrusor dysfunction and destrusor overactivity were the three leading types of postoperative bladder dysfunction. Moreover, the incidences of low compliance bladder (50.0% vs. 17.1%), bladder destrusor dysfunction (58.4% vs. 14.6%) and destrusor overactivity (31.0% vs. 4.9%) in the group with voiding dysfunction were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the group without voiding dysfunction (P < 0.01). Secondarily, forty-two patients with recent non-infective voiding dysfunction were divided into simple irritation sign group, simple obstruction sign group and mixed sign group according to their main symptoms. The incidence of bladder destrusor dysfunction in the simple obstruction sign group was significant higher than that in the simple irritation sign group, and the incidence of detrusor overactivity in the simple irritation sign group was significant higher than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere were many different types of urodynamic disorder in the patients with recent non-infective voiding dysfunction after radical hysterectomy. Low compliance bladder, bladder destrusor dysfunction and detrusor overactivity caused by the damage of the pelvic autonomic nerve during the operation may be the main reasons for the recent non-infective voiding dusfunction after radical hysterectomy. Moreover, bladder destrusor dysfunction and detrusor overactivity may be the key points for the symptoms of bladder irritation and bladder obstruction. Urodynamic study is important for the etiology analysis and clinical treatment of recent non-infective voiding dysfunction postoperation.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Urination Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Urodynamics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery