Improvement of Persistent Detrusor Overactivity through Treatment with a Phytotherapeutic Agent (WSY-1075) after Relief of Bladder Outlet Obstruction.

PURPOSE: Many patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia need treatment for remaining storage symptoms after surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of the phytotherapeutic agent WSY-1075 on persistent detrusor overactivity (DO) after the relief of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were assigned to 3 groups: control (n=6), persistent DO (n=6), and persistent DO treated with the phytotherapeutic agent WSY-1075 (n=6). Persistent DO after relief of partial BOO was generated in the rat model, and 6 of the rats with this condition were orally administered WSY-1075. After 4 weeks of administration, cystometry was performed. Additionally, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and superoxide dismutase were measured to evaluate oxidative stress in the bladder. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, were analyzed, as were the M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors of the bladder.
RESULTS: Significantly increased contraction pressure and a decreased contraction interval were observed in the persistent DO group after relief of BOO. Moreover, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and M3 muscarinic receptors were significantly increased. After treatment with WSY-1075, significantly reduced DO was observed by cystometry in comparison with the persistent DO group. Additionally, significantly decreased levels of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and M3 muscarinic receptors in the bladder were observed after treatment with WSY-1075.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with WSY-1075 improved persistent DO after the relief of BOO mediated by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Further studies are necessary to identify the exact mechanism of the treatment effect of WSY-1075.

INTRODUCTION

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common type of voiding dysfunction in middle-aged and elderly men. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with BPH are caused by bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) induced by the enlarged prostate gland. Therefore, treatment for BPH aims to reduce BOO and the resistance of the prostatic urethra. Medical treatment with various alpha-blockers and surgical procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate, photoselective vaporization of the prostate, and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate can decrease LUTS by reducing the resistance of the prostatic urethra [123].

However, some men with BPH experience persistent or newly developing LUTS after medical and surgical treatment [45]. In particular, previous clinical studies have observed that patients with severe pretreatment storage symptoms experienced persistence and exacerbation of their storage symptoms [4]. Moreover, some patients presented worsening or newly developing storage symptoms after surgery, and their storage symptoms were not improved by medications such as alpha-blockers and antimuscarinics [6]. For these reasons, a new treatment approach is necessary to reduce persistent or de novo storage symptoms after surgery for BPH.

Recently, several attempts have been made to find candidate herbal treatments showing a treatment effect on BPH and prostate diseases [78]. Therefore, we studied the effects of the plant combination WSY-1075, which is based on Korean traditional medicine [8], in animals showing persistent detrusor overactivity (DO) after the relief of BOO.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Preparation of the plant combination

The plant combination WSY-1075 is a mixed herbal health supplement developed by a company (KEMIMEDI [KMI] Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea) that is investigating oriental herbal treatments. It was developed based on gongjindan, which is known to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. A mixture of 5 dried seeds (30.8% Corni fructus, 30.8% Lycii fructus, 15.4% Angelicae gigantis Radix, 15.4% Cassiae cortkex, and 7.6% Ginseng Radix Rubra) was extracted with boiling tap water (0.25 g/mL) for 3 hours. The plant combination was manufactured through filtering, concentrating, and freeze-drying processes.

2. Ethics statement

This experiment was approved by The Catholic University of Korea Animal Ethics Committee (CUMC-2015-0175-01).

3. Animal model showing persistent detrusor overactivity after the relief of bladder outlet obstruction

White female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 to 300 g were used in this study. The rats were fed standard rat food and had free access to food and water; they were maintained under a 12-hour light-dark cycle, with a room temperature of 20℃±2℃ and a relative humidity of 50%±10% throughout the experiment. The 18 rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the control group (n=6), the persistent DO group (n=6), and the persistent DO with treatment group (n=6, 200 mg/kg). We induced persistent DO according to the method by Jin et al [9] and we confirmed the reliability of the animal model in a preliminary experiment. An abdominal incision was made to expose the bladder and the urethra. In the persistent DO and persistent DO with treatment groups, a 25-gauge angioneedle sheath was placed on top of the urethrovesical junction and then ligated with 3-0 nylon to create a partial BOO. The sheath was then removed and 2 ends of nylon were pulled down into the vaginal space through the previously made incision [9]. The 3-0 nylon was removed through a vaginal approach after 2 weeks. Six of the persistent DO rats were given the plant combination (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. The plant combination dissolved in distilled water was administered orally through an 8 F red Rob-Nel catheter once a day.

4. Cystometrography

After 4 weeks, cystometrography (CMG) was performed in all rats. Rats were anesthetized using a subcutaneous injection of 1.2 mg/kg of urethane. A suprapubic midline laparotomy was made to expose the bladder, and a 25-gauge needle connected to polyethylene tubing was inserted into the bladder through the bladder dome. The tubing was connected to a pressure transducer and a Harvard syringe pump via a 3-way stopcock to record intravesical pressure and to infuse saline into the bladder. After emptying the bladder, CMG was performed using a saline infusion at a rate of 0.04 mL/min. The contraction interval and contraction pressure (maximum bladder pressure during voiding) were recorded using a polygraph (Grass 7D; Grass Institute Co., Quincy, MA, USA). Nonvoiding contractions (NVCs) was determined during the 4 to 2 minutes prior before each voiding contraction, and NVCs were defined as contractions of >4 cm H2O from the baseline pressure during bladder filling [10].

5. Measurements of oxidative stress

Oxidative stress in the bladder tissue was assessed quantitatively by measuring 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Total DNA was extracted from the bladder tissue using a DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA). The 8-OHdG levels were measured with a DNA oxidation kit (Highly Sensitive 8-OHdG Check ELISA; Japan Institute for the Control of Aging, Fukuroi, Japan). Absorbance was measured at 450 nm after the final color was developed with the addition of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine. Tissue sample concentration was calculated from a standard curve and corrected for the DNA concentration. SOD activity (CuZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) in tissue was measured using a SOD Assay Kit-WST (Dojindo, Rockville, MD, USA), monitoring the decrease in the rate of superoxide- mediated reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium at 450 nm using a spectrophotometer.

6. Pro-inflammatory cytokine analysis

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the treatment, levels of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-8 cytokines were analyzed using enzymelinked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Blood obtained before sacrifice was centrifuged for 10 minutes (3,000 rpm, 4℃), and the supernatant was immediately transferred to a tube. The cytokine concentration was measured every 5 minutes for 30 minutes, using a spectrophotometer at 450 nm with an immunoassay ELISA kit (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

7. Western blot analysis

Frozen bladder tissue was ground to a fine powder with a liquid nitrogen-cooled mortar and pestle. The bladder total protein was extracted using a cell lysis buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl at a pH of 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM Na ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 1 mM EDTA, 1% Triton, 2.5 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 1 mM β-glycerophosphate, 1 mM Na3VO4, 1 µg/mL of leupeptin, and 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride). Protein extracts were quantified with the BCA Protein Assay reagent (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, IL, USA). Quantitative proteins (60 µg) were boiled in the loading buffer (62.6 mM Tris-HCl at a pH of 6.8, 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS], 0.01% bromophenol blue, 10% glycerol, and 100 mM dithiothreitol). Proteins were loaded into each lane and resolved by 4% to 12% SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins were transferred onto Hybond-ECL nitrocellulose membranes (Amersham Biosciences, Freiburg, Germany), and equal protein loading was verified by Ponceau-S staining (Sigma Aldrich Co., St. Louis, MO, USA). The membranes were blocked by treatment with 5% non-fat milk in Trisbuffered saline containing 0.1% Tween 20, and the membranes were probed with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (1:1,000; BD Pharmingen, San Diego, CA, USA), Rho A (1:1,000; BD Pharmingen), ROCK-I (1:1,000; BD Pharmingen), ROCK-II (1:1,000; BD Pharmingen), M2 (1:1,000; abcam, Cambridge, MA, USA), M3 (1:500; abcam), and β-actin, followed by incubation with the corresponding secondary antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA) conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The densitometric analysis of band intensity used the Luminescent Image Analysis System (LAS-3000; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan).

8. Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was done using SPSS ver. 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The data were expressed as means±standard deviations. The data for each group were compared using 1-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The cut-off for significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

1. Cystometric findings

At 2 weeks after BOO formation, the ligature was removed through an intravaginal approach [9] in the persistent DO and the WSY-1075 groups. Oral administration of WSY-1075 was continued for 4 weeks in the WSY-1075 group. Cystometrograms were obtained after 4 weeks. The contraction pressure (47.8±7.6 cm H2O) of the persistent DO group was significantly greater than that of the control group (23.6±5.7 cm H2O) (p<0.05). The contraction interval (5.3±0.4 minutes) of the persistent DO group was significantly lower than that of the control group (11.3±0.7 minuted) (p<0.05). At 4 weeks, the contraction pressure (25.3±0.7 cm H2O) of the persistent DO with treatment group was significantly lower than that of the persistent DO group (47.8±7.6 cm H2O) (p<0.05). The contraction interval (10.9±0.4 minutes) of the persistent DO with treatment group was significantly greater than that of the persistent DO group (5.3±0.4 minutes) (p<0.05). The NVCs of the persistent DO with treatment group (2.3±1.5) were significantly fewer in number than in the persistent DO group (4.5±0.6) (p<0.05) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Representative cystometric curves. (A) Control group. (B) Persistent detrusor overactivity (DO) group. (C) Persistent DO with treatment group.

2. Changes in oxidative stress

A significant increase of 8-OHdG was noted in the persistent DO group compared with the control group (p<0.05). After administration of WSY-1075, a significant decrease of 8-OHdG was observed compared with the persistent DO group (p<0.05). SOD was found at significantly lower levels in the persistent DO group than in the controls (p<0.05). After administration of WSY-1075, a significant increase of SOD was observed compared with the persistent DO group (p<0.05). The levels of 8-OHdG and SOD in the persistent DO with treatment group were significantly different from the levels in the control group (p<0.05) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Changes in 8-OHdG and SOD. Values are expressed as means±standard deviations. 8OHdG: 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, SOD: superoxide dismutase, DO: detrusor overactivity. ap<0.05 compared with the control group; bp<0.05 compared with the persistent DO group.

3. Changes in inflammatory cytokines

A significant increase in IL-8 and TNF-α was noted in the persistent DO group compared with the control group (p<0.05). After administration of WSY-1075, a significant decrease of IL-8 and TNF-α was observed compared with the persistent DO group (p<0.05). The levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in the persistent DO with treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (p<0.05) (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Values are expressed as means±standard deviations. IL-8: interleukin-8, TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α, DO: detrusor overactivity. ap<0.05 compared with the control group; bp<0.05 compared with the persistent DO group.

4. Expression of muscarinic receptors

The persistent DO group showed significantly higher expression of the M3 muscarinic receptor and lower expression of the M2 muscarinic receptor in the bladder than the control group (p<0.05). Significantly decreased M3 muscarinic receptor expression and increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression were noted after administration of WSY-1075 compared with the persistent DO group (p<0.05). M2 muscarinic receptor expression in the persistent DO with treatment group was not significantly different from that observed in the control group. However, M3 muscarinic receptor expression in the persistent DO with treatment group was significantly different from that observed in the control group (p<0.05) (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4

Changes in the M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors. Values are expressed as means±standard deviations. DO: detrusor overactivity. ap<0.05 compared with the control group; bp<0.05 compared with the persistent DO group.

DISCUSSION

In this study, we observed persistent DO after the relief of partial BOO, and found that persistent DO was improved after oral administration with the plant combination WSY-1075. In addition, decreased M3 muscarinic receptor expression and increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression after treatment were observed. These functional and molecular changes likely occurred due to the reduced oxidative stress and inflammation resulting from the plant combination.

Ischemia and oxidative stress of the bladder are considered to be one of the mechanisms through which LUTS is induced, and the decrease of blood flow caused by chronic BOO can increase oxidative stress. During the voiding phase, chronic BOO in patients with BPH was found to increase the blood vessel compression resulting from the overdistension of the bladder wall, causing hypoxia [11]. According to a study that analyzed the factors associated with hypoxia in BPH patients after surgery, the number of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α immunoreactive cells in the bladder in BPH patients was significantly greater than in controls [12]. These clinical findings showed that hypoxic changes of the bladder took place due to BPH-induced BOO in BPH patients who underwent surgery. Moreover, Azadzoi et al [13] reported that relaxation of the bladder wall during the filling phase, following the voiding phase, increased blood flow to the bladder wall; however, the degree of increased blood flow was decreased compared to what was observed in the normal bladder. Additionally, the authors noted that moderate bladder ischemia induced DO and that severe bladder ischemia induced detrusor underactivity. These previous findings imply that hypoxia and reperfusion of the bladder induced by BOO can produce LUTS. The rat model of DO induced by partial BOO is widely used for the study of storage symptoms associated with BPH [14]. In the present study, the animal model presenting persistent DO based on the method by Jin et al [9] was chosen because we analyzed the effect of the plant combination WSY-1075 on persistent DO after the relief of partial BOO. The presence of persistent DO after the relief of partial BOO was confirmed, meaning that moderate bladder ischemia and reperfusion had occurred. As a result, increased 8-OHdG and decreased SOD were observed in the persistent DO group, and it is well known that repeated ischemia and reperfusion of tissue induces oxidative stress [15]. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 and TNF-α in the persistent DO group significantly increased, similarly to a report stating that inflammatory cytokines were increased in bladders with overactivity induced by chronic bladder ischemia [16]. The mechanism that has been suggested for DO induced by BOO is that chronic bladder ischemia and reperfusion induce oxidative stress and increase inflammatory cytokines in the bladder. These changes then lead to bladder denervation and increases in molecules, such as prostaglandins and nerve growth factor that are contributing factors to DO and overactive bladder [17]. Therefore, reducing hypoxia and reperfusion induced-oxidative stress may help to control BOO-associated DO.

Administration of the plant combination WSY-1075 led to significantly decreased 8-OHdG, increased SOD, and decreased IL-8 and TNF-α levels in the bladder, demonstrating a reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation in the bladder, even though oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine levels in the persistent DO with treatment group were not decreased to the level of the control group. Moreover, we noted functional improvement of DO, as measured by a significant reduction of contraction pressure, an increase in the contraction interval, and decreased NVCs in CMG after administration of the plant combination. This functional and molecular improvement is suggested to have been due to the antioxidative effect of the plant combination. Several studies have observed the therapeutic effects of antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, eviprostat, and vitamin E on LUTS [1819202122]. Kim et al [19] observed that coenzyme Q10 reduced malondialdehyde levels in bladder tissue and micturition frequency in a chronic bladder ischemia model. Studies of the phytotherapeutic agent eviprostat and vitamin E showed a suppressive effect on oxidative stress and a preventive effect against the deterioration of bladder dysfunction [202122]. The antioxidative agent eviprostat consists of 5 components, the umbellate wintergreen Chimaphila umbellata, the aspen Populus tremula, the small pasque flower Pulsatilla pratensis, the field horsetail Equisetum arvense, and wheat germ oil, and it is considered to reduce prostatic inflammation and BPH-associated LUTS [20212324]. Similarly to eviprostat, the plant combination used in this study consisted of 5 plants: Corni fructus, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Lycii fructus, Ginseng Radix Rubra, and Cassiae cortkex. Usually, phytotherapeutic agents are made based on empirically used herbal remedies, and empirical herbal remedies have been made by guidelines for herb-herb combinations in Chinese medicine [25]. According to the theory of herb-herb combinations, this combination was made to enhance the effects and reduce the side effects of the herbs in a balanced manner. All 5 plants contained in the plant combination used in the present study have shown antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects [262728]. Therefore, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation after treatment may have been due to the synergistic effect of the plant combination. Moreover, expression of the M3 muscarinic receptor was significantly decreased after treatment with the plant combination. This change is important because the M3 muscarinic receptor is a major molecule involved in controlling DO and overactive bladder [29]. Therefore, functional improvement of persistent DO via treatment with this plant combination after relief of BOO may have resulted from M3 muscarinic receptor reduction mediated by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions that reduce ischemia/reperfusion injuries and adjust the balance of the bladder tissue (Fig. 5)

Fig. 5

Improvement of persistent detrusor overactivity (DO) after relief of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) mediated by the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of WSY-1075.

The present study presented the effects of the plant combination WSY-1075 on the reduction of persistent DO after the relief of BOO. However, it has several limitations. We did not administer the plant combination excluding the rats without DO after relieving of BOO. Therefore, further study confirms the results should be done after excluding the rats without DO after relieving of BOO. Although the plant combination was developed based on the theory of herb-herb combinations in Chinese medicine, the exact mechanism has not yet been discovered, so further study is needed. In addition, it is necessary to identify the active ingredient of each plant. We observed functional and molecular improvements in persistent DO mediated by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, but the precise mechanism should be defined to support the treatment effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent DO after the relief of BOO was improved by treatment with the plant combination WSY-1075. The treatment effect was mediated by the antioxidative and anti- inflammatory effects of the plant combination. Based on these preliminary results, further study is needed to discover the exact mechanism and to identify the active ingredients.