Bladder dysfunction in hypoestrogenic rats with metabolic syndrome can be ameliorated after amniotic fluid stem cell treatment

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Bladder dysfunction may occur with high frequency in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) on bladder dysfunction in ovariectomized rats with MetS. Materials and methods Forty-eight female rats were divided into 4 groups: normal control, ovariectomy (OVX), and OVX and MetS without (OVX + MetS) and with hAFSCs treatment (OVX + MetS + hAFSCs). We assessed cystometric parameters, serum biochemistry parameters, wall thickness of iliac artery, apoptotic cells and collagen volume in bladder tissues, and the expressions of purinergic and muscarinic receptors, apoptosis-associated mitochondrial proteins, and markers of inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress at posttreatment 1 and 3 months. Results OVX + MetS rats showed significant dysfunction of bladder storage, including reduced intercontraction intervals and bladder capacity, along with increased residual urine volume and nonvoiding contractions. There was a significant increase in iliac artery wall thickness, bladder collagen volume, and number of apoptotic cells. Also, there were elevated expressions of P2X3 purinergic and M2/M3 muscarinic receptors, pro-apoptotic proteins, and markers of inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress, with a concurrent decrease in anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Treatment with hAF

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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