Inhibitory effects of retigabine, a Kv7 channel activator, on mechanosensitive primary bladder afferent activities and nociceptive behaviors in rats.

Aims: Kv7 voltage-gated potassium channels have been suggested to modulate mechano-afferent transduction and nociception in the bladder. We investigated the effects of retigabine, a Kv7 channel activator, on rhythmic bladder contractions (RBCs), and single-unit afferent activities (SAAs) of the primary bladder mechanosensitive afferent nerve fibers in urethane-anesthetized rats. In addition, the effects of pretreatment with retigabine on the nociceptive behaviors provoked by an intravesical instillation of resiniferatoxin (RTX) were evaluated in the conscious condition.

Neuromedin B Restores Erectile Function by Protecting the Cavernous Body and the Nitrergic Nerves from Injury in a Diabetic Rat Model.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major health problem worldwide and affects approximately 75% of diabetic patients, likely due to severely damaged cavernous body. While screening for cytokines produced by adipose tissue-derived stem cells, we detected neuromedin B (NMB). To explore a potential treatment option for ED, we examined whether NMB was capable of restoring erectile function.

Senescent Cells Impair Erectile Function through Induction of Endothelial Dysfunction and Nerve Injury in Mice.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major health problem, particularly in the elderly population, which is rapidly increasing. It is necessary to elucidate the mechanism by which ED occurs in the elderly. Cellular senescence is commonly detected in old tissues, and it is well known that senescent cells not only withdraw from the cell cycle but also remain viable and actively produce a variety of cytokines.

Changes in the function and expression of T-type and N-type calcium channels in the rat bladder after bladder outlet obstruction.

Purpose: We evaluated possible changes in the function and expression of T-type and N-type Ca(2+) channels in the bladder of rats with bladder outlet obstruction.

Materials And Methods: Female Sprague Dawley® rats were divided into a group with bladder outlet obstruction created by partial urethral ligation and a sham operated group. Six weeks postoperatively we determined the mRNA expression of T-type and N-type Ca(2+) channels in the bladder, dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord.

Prenatal stress induces anxiety-like behavior together with the disruption of central serotonin neurons in mice.

Most pregnant women are at risk of showing some emotional abnormality, since some biological functions such as hormonal systems may dramatically change in pregnancy. Some of them may be exposed to strong stress as hesitation of positive drug therapies because of worries regarding adverse effects on the embryo. A growing body of evidence suggests that prenatal stress increases the vulnerability to neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety.