Objective: To investigate the release of inflammatory mediators by the urinary bladder in response to exposure to pro-inflammatory peptides.
Materials and methods: Isolated guinea pig urinary bladder was incubated with 10 mumol/L each of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), octreotide acetate (a long-acting analogue of somatostatin, SOM), or bradykinin (BK), and the release of histamine, prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was determined during 0-5, 5-30 and 30-120 min after addition.
Results: Substance P, NKA, VIP and BK stimulated the release of histamine, while CGRP and SOM suppressed the release to below the spontaneous rates. All peptides, except CGRP and SOM, stimulated the release of PGE2 between 0 and 30 min, and only VIP failed to stimulate the release of PGF2 alpha within 5 min of exposure. Substance P, NKA, VIP and BK stimulated the release of LTB4 and this required > 5 min of exposure.
Conclusion: These results indicate that the peptides evaluated induce an immediate and transient release of histamine and activation of cyclooxygenase and delayed activation of 5-lipoxygenase. These actions may directly regulate the participation of these peptides in the pathogenesis of cystitis.