Abstract
Background: Diabetic bladder dysfunction (DBD) shows a change in the neurotransmission patterns which could be of great importance for drug development.
Aim of Study: This study aims to explore whether cholin-ergic or non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) pathways are altered in their participation in mediating the contraction of diabetic urinary bladder and if ferulic acid could improve DBD.
Material and Methods: Rats were divided into three groups (n=12): Streptozotocin induced diabetic group, diabetic with ferulic acid supplemented group, and age matched control group. At the end of 10 weeks, blood samples were collected, and the bladders were removed, weighed, used to measure TBARS reduced glutathione (GSH), and super oxide dismutase (SOD) in bladder homogenate and to record contractility of bladder strips.
Results: Diabetic rats received ferulic acid expressed significant reduction in blood glucose, fluid intake, urine output and improvement in bladder wt/body wt. ratio and oxidative stress markers. Ferulic group showed significant improvement in spontaneous contractility and bladder sensi-tivity to different agonist and antagonists when compared to those of diabetic group. The purinergic as well as cholinergic component are significantly decreased in FA treated rats than in diabetic ones which could be explained by its antioxidant activity that ameliorates oxidative stress associated with diabetes. So, in Conclusion: FA could be considered as a beneficial adjuvant in lines of DBD treatment.