Statin Drugs Found To Irritate The Bladder & Increase the Risk For IC
If you have regularly used statin medications to lower cholesterol levels and had your IC begin AFTER you began their use, you should find this new study interesting. Researchers in Taiwan have determined that long term or irregular use of statin medication is significantly linked to the development of interstitial cystitis. Previous studies found that statins induced cell aptosis and inhibited the growth of epithelial cells in the prostate. Researchers presume that the same is occurring in statin patients who develop IC/BPS. Statins also appeared to induce inflammation via the production of inflammatory cytokines. By inducing neurogenic inflammation, statins lead to “abnormal bladder permeability and changes in bladder sensations.”
Source: Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis Linked to Statins
Research Study Launched in Virginia Will Follow Veterans With IC
Investigators from Cedars-Sinai and the Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center are teaming up to develop a better understanding of interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder disease that has few effective treatment options.
A $3 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will support the research aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment and management of the condition, particularly among veterans. The money will be split between Cedars-Sinai and the Institute for Medical Research, a nonprofit foundation that supports research at the Durham VA Medical Center.
Source: Research Study Launched in Virginia Will Follow Veterans With IC
Michigan Urologists Pioneers in Neuromodulation For IC and Pelvic Pain
Millions of people suffer from bladder dysfunction, including about 30 million in the U.S. One in seven women experience chronic pelvic pain. These are not only health issues, but quality of life issues. Because of the expertise of urologists at Beaumont Hospital – Royal Oak in treating bladder and pelvic pain, patients from across the nation, Canada and as far away as Australia seek their care.
“The patients we see have suffered a long time, affecting their quality of life and relationships with their kids and spouses,” says Ken Peters, M.D., chief, Urology, Beaumont – Royal Oak. “They are told they have to learn to live with it. I tell them they are going to be better. It really is amazing when you make somebody better, who no one else has been able to help.”
Dr. Peters recently presented three papers at the International Neuromodulation Society’s 12th World Congress. He and his team have had success in treating bladder issues and pelvic pain through a technique called neuromodulation.
Source: Providing Relief From Bladder Pain Issues With Neuromodulation
Advances in Intravesical Therapy For Urinary Tract Disorders
Researchers at the University of PA summarize the significance of intravesical therapy for lower urinary tract disorders. The recent advancement of liposomes as a drug delivery platform for botulinum toxin, tacrolimus and small interfering RNA is discussed. The importance of polymers forming indwelling devices and hydrogels are also discussed, where all preparations improved efficacy parameters in rodent models. Clinical experience of treating IC/PBS with indwelling devices and liposomes are summarized and preclinical evidence about the downregulation of target gene expression in rodent bladder with liposomes complexed with siRNA is also reviewed.
Source: Advances in intravesical therapy for urinary tract disorders.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Found To Suppress Inflammation In The Urinary Tract
If you’re a regular user of Omega-3 fatty acids, you’ll find this new paper promising. Omega-3’s have been found to suppress inflammation in the bladder, kidney and prostate and can play a supportive role in treatment plans. On the other hand, pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids were associated with disease progression.
Source: Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acids on urologic inflammation.
Bladder Microbiota During IC Flares
This fascinating study from the MAPP Research Network studied bacterial count variation during IC flares. The same species were found in both groups of patients, however patients who were struggling with flares had a greater prevalence of fungi (Candida and Saccharomyces) at 15.7% compared to only 3.9% in the non-flare use. The results suggest that fungi screening may be useful during flare periods.
Injection of Dental Stem Cells Promotes Bladder Tissue Healing
This fascinating study with rats found that mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental tissue appeared to assist in the regeneration of bladder tissue, including vascular structure regeneration.
Urethral Pain Syndrome Can Have Many Potential Causes
Despite the title, this paper affirms that urethral pain syndrome is real and can cause a variety of symptoms including: dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, nocturia and persistent or intermittent urethral and/or pelvic pain in the absence of proven infection. While it can occur in men, it does appear to be more frequency in women. A variety of causes include: infectious and psychogenic factors, urethral spasms, early interstitial cystitis, hypoestrogenism, squamous metaplasia as well as gynecological risk factors are discussed. Treatments can include pain treatment, antibiotics, alpha receptor blockers and muscle relaxants, antimuscarinic therapy, topical vaginal estrogen, psychological support and physical therapy. In cases of nonresponding patients intravesical and/or surgical therapy should be considered.
Source: Urethral pain syndrome: fact or fiction – an update
Glomerulations Not Found Diagnostically or Therapeutically Meaningful
Members of the European ESSIC society provided a literature review of studies to determine if glomerulations found in the bladder during hydrodistention were meaningful nor that they were helpful in determining the appropriate treatment for patients. Glomerulations did not correlate with symptoms and are found in patients who have no bladder symptoms or diseases. Previous researchers believed that they were the result of the procedure itself. In the AUA Guidelines, hydrodistention is no longer recommended for diagnosis unless the diagnosis is in doubt.
Source: The Role of Glomerulations in Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Review.
