Sulfated glycosaminoglycans of the periurethral tissue in women with and without stress urinary incontinence, according to genital prolapse stage.

Objective: The objective was to determine sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in women with and without stress urinary incontinence according to genital prolapse stage.

Study Design: Periurethral tissue was obtained from 30 women who underwent surgery for urinary incontinence, for pelvic organ prolapse, or for other benign gynecologic conditions. Biopsy specimens were assessed by biochemical methods to characterize and quantify sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Measurements were made of total glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and of heparan sulfate. Data were compared using the t-test.

Results: In two groups, dermatan sulfate was the most predominant glycosaminoglycan. Women with stress urinary incontinence had significantly more total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (p<0.05) and dermatan sulfate (p<0.05) than women without stress urinary incontinence. We did not observe any differences in chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate.

Conclusions: Women with stress urinary incontinence showed quantitative and qualitative differences in the biochemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix in periurethral tissue by analysis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans, according to genital prolapse stage.