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Exercise improves bladder function in diabetic mice Vadhavkar, Manasi Hemant

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of diabetes mellitus. Urinary bladder dysfunction is a frequent complication of diabetes and can lead to urinary incontinence (UI), infection and impaired bladder emptying leading to retention of urine and loss of sensation in the patients. Of these, UI is a most debilitating condition that leads to decreased quality of life especially in women. It is estimated to affect approximately 30-50% of the elderly. Exercise is the initial recommended management strategy in diabetes but its effect on diabetic urinary bladder dysfunction or urinary incontinence (UI) is unknown. We hypothesize that exercise improves bladder dysfunction and reduces the voiding frequency in the db/db mouse, a frequently used animal model of type 2 diabetes. Thirty- two db/db female mice (BKS. Cg-m+/+Leprdb/ J strain) and their age matched wild type controls (WT) were used. Mice were equally divided into sedentary and exercise groups. Mice were exercised for one hour everyday for 8 weeks (speed of 5.2 meters/min). This moderate level of exercise did not alter the body weight or blood glucose levels of db/db mice. We performed a voiding pattern test, cystometric analysis and reactivity of isolated bladder strips in WT and db/db mice, both sedentary and exercised. Diabetes increased the frequency of voiding, bladder capacity and residual volume. Exercise decreased voiding frequency in db/db mice. In cystometric analysis, the bladder capacity, micturition pressure, micturition volume and residual volume were decreased significantly compared to db/db sedentary mice. Isolated strips of bladder muscle from sedentary db/db mice were more responsive to carbachol than strips from db/db exercise mice. In summary, exercise improved bladder function in diabetic mice by reducing voiding frequency and improving urodynamic parameters; exercise did not alter the contractility of the detrusor muscle in db/db mice.

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