Changes in Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Expression in the Rat Bladder by Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Purpose: To demonstrate the change in the expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) in the rat bladder with partial bladder outlet obstruction (P-BOO). Materials and Methods: Bladder specimens were obtained from 12-week-old Wistar female rats that were divided into two groups, a P-BOO group and a control group. The rats of the P-BOO group were divided into six groups: a sham-operated control group, 1 day postoperatively, 2 days postoperatively, 4 days postoperatively, 7 days postoperatively and 14 days postoperatively. The cystometric findings and immunohistochemical staining of the detrusor muscle with the AT1 antibody were compared in each group. Results: AT1 localized on the cell membrane of the detrusor smooth muscle and in cytoplasm of suburothelial myofibroblasts in the control rats. The expression of AT1 disappeared in the detrusor muscle and suburothelial myofibroblasts in P-BOO, but AT1 was highly expressed in urothelial cells 1 day after surgery. The expression of AT1 in urothelial cells gradually decreased with time after surgery. AT1 completely disappeared in urothelial cells 14 days after surgery. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the site of AT1 expression changes in response to the mechanical stress caused by P-BOO, and finally there was no expression of AT1 in rat bladder tissue following P-BOO. These data suggest the change in AT1 expression may play a role in bladder function

Expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor in rat bladder smooth muscle cells in response to a streptzotocin induced diabetes mellitus model

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors in rat bladder smooth muscle cells and alterations of AT1 receptors by diabetes mellitus and diuretic states. Materials and Methods: Diabetes and diuresis were induced in adult female rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and feeding 5% sucrose in water. Cystometry was performed on control, diuretic, and diabetic rats at 2 and 8 weeks after treatment. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect expression of AT1 receptors in the bladder smooth muscle cell membrane. Results and Conclusions: In diabetic rats, expression of AT1 receptors in the bladder smooth muscle cell membrane increased at 2 weeks and further increased at 8 weeks. The local renin-angiotensin system in the rat bladder might be activated by the continuous hyperglycemia caused by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin administration

A Case of Urethral Duplication Arising from the Posterior Urethra to the Scrotum with Urinary Stone in a 6-Year-Old Male

Urethral duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. We report a 6-year-old male with type IIA2 (Y-type) using Effmann’s classification. The accessory urethra, in which a urinary stone existed, arose from the posterior urethra to the scrotum. Because of recurrent urinary tract infection and urinary discharge from the accessory urethra, surgical removal of the accessory urethra through a scrotal incision was performed. At 7-month postoperative follow-up the patient was completely free from urinary incontinence and urinary tract infection

Suture Granuloma Showing False-Positive Findings on FDG-PET

We report a case of a 33-year-old male with a mixed germ-cell testicular tumor. Postoperative follow-up FDG-PET revealed concentration of FDG in the left inguinal area which is not tumor metastasis or local recurrence but suture reactivity granuloma. In this paper, we reviewed suture granulomas associated with false-positive findings on FDG-PET after surgery. If FDG-PET will be used more frequently in the future, it will be necessary to refrain from using silk thread in order to prevent any unnecessary surgery

Renoprotective effects of telmisartan after unilateral renal ablation in rats

Purpose: The renoprotective function of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) is well-known in various studies, including the animal model of renal failure. However, detailed temporal changes of pathological and molecular findings after unilateral nephrectomy are not fully understood. The main purpose of this study was to clarify the renoprotective effects and pathological changes induced by the ARB in rat-remnant kidney (RK) tissues after unilateral nephrectomy, but not after a 5/6 nephrectomy. Methods: Telmisartan, which is structurally and functionally unique among ARB, was used in this study. Three rat groups were examined: A) no ARB administrated (RK, n=21); B) continuous subcutaneous infusion of an ARB administrated (RK-ARB, n=21); and C) a sham-operated group (Sham). Renal function was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and creatinine clearance (Ccr). Fibrosis was evaluated by hydroxyproline levels and Masson\u27s trichrome staining. Expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Results: There was no significant difference regarding body and kidney weight or pathological features evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining between the RK and RK-ARB groups. The Ccr in the RK group was significantly lower than that in the Sham group (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between the RK-ARB and Sham groups. The fibrotic area increased significantly with time after nephrectomy in the RK group. Although a similar trend was found in the RK-ARB group, the percentage of fibrous area in the RK-ARB group was significantly lower than that in the RK group at each time point (P<0.01). AT1R mRNA levels in the RK group were regulated immediately compared with those in the RK-ARB group. Although expressions of the AT1R and TGF-β were significantly higher in the RK-ARB group than in the Sham group, no significant differences were found between the RK-ARB and Sham group. Conclusion: The ARB had renoprotective effects after unilateral nephrectomy. The ARB effectively maintained Ccr. Our results also showed the possibility that fibrotic changes mediated by AT1R and TGF-β play an important role in renal protection. Moreover, this is the first report on changes of AT1R expression after using the ARB telmisartan in kidney tissues after unilateral nephrectomy. Finally, our results suggest that ARB may be useful to prevent renal failure in patients treated with nephrectomy

A case of bleeding shock induced by injury of the intercostal artery following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy

Introduction The risk of postoperative bleeding complications should be concerned to perform percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Most of the vascular injuries occurred at the peripheral renal artery in the previous reports. We experienced a case of bleeding shock induced by the injury of the intercostal artery in the abdominal wall following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Case presentation A 56‐year‐old woman had been in the bleeding shock status on the 2nd day after percutaneous nephrolithotoripsy. Emergently, contrast‐enhanced computed tomography was performed and extravasation of contrast agents was seen in the abdominal wall. Injuries of the intercostal artery were identified in the angiography and controlled by transcatheter arterial embolization. Conclusion The intercostal arteries could be injured in the anterolateral zone of the abdominal wall over the end of the ribs. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography was useful to detect the bleeding point. Transcatheter arterial embolization was an effective and safe method to control bleedings from them