Dietary macronutrients modulate hypertrophy and contractility of the detrusor in an experimental model of bladder obstruction

Objectives

To investigate the effects of various diets on structure and function of the bladder in both normal and obstructed bladders of male Wistar rats.

Methods

Sham-operated rats and rats with experimentally-induced bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) were fed with standard rats’ feed (control), High-carbohydrate (HCD), High-fat (HFD) and High-protein (HPD) diets. Feeding was continued for 4 weeks after BOO surgery. Bladder weight, detrusor contractility, Rho-Kinase (ROK) and Myosin Light Chain Kinase (MLCK) expressions were determined using standard methods.

Results

In comparison with control, bladder weight was increased in HFD (164?±?9?mg), BOO (437?±?21?mg), HFD-BOO (523?±?19?mg) and HPD-BOO (268?±?18?mg). Detrusor contractility was reduced in BOO and HFD-BOO. The ROK- I and II expressions were high in HCD-BOO and low in HPD-BOO but ROK-I was also elevated in BOO. However, MLCK increased only in HCD-BOO.

Conclusion

The results of the study reveal that diets with varying macronutrient compositions have variable effects on the bladder with and without obstruction. High-fat diets especially, affect detrusor morphology and function in both obstructed and unobstructed bladders.