Skip to main content
  • Research article
  • Open access
  • Published:

Effect of SQW on the bladder function of mice lacking TRPV1

Abstract

Background

Suo Quan Wan (SQW) is an effective traditional Chinese prescription on treated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and has been proved have modulation effect on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in accordance with the recovery of bladder function of overactive bladder rat. This study further investigated the mechanism of SQW modulated TRPV1 signaling and bladder function using TRPV1 knockout (KO) mice.

Methods

Study was conducted using wild type and TRPV1 KO mice. The KO animals were grouped into KO group and SQW treated group. We applied in vivo cystometrogram recording techniques to analyze voiding control of the urinary bladder, as well as in vitro organ bath to study bladder distension response to various compounds, which subsequently elicited normal smooth muscle excitation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to quantify the expression of TRPV1 and P2X3 in the bladder. ATP released from bladder strips was measured using the luciferin–luciferase ATP bioluminescence assay kit.

Results

KO preparation inhibited decrease micturition times, while micturition interval and volume were increased. Results of urodynamic record of the TRPV1−/− mice during NS infusion showed reduced bladder pressure and contraction which exhibited decreased response to α, β-me ATP, KCl, and carbachol and no response to CAP. The ATP released by the TRPV1−/− mice from strips of bladder smooth muscles was significantly reduced, along with no TRPV1 expression and reduced expression level of P2X3 in the bladder. SQW could increase ATP release in some degree, while had no effect on TRPV1 and P2X3 expression. SQW could improve bladder pressure slightly, while make no significantly effects on the force response to α,β-meATP, CAP, carbachol in gradient concentration, and KCl, as well as MBC and voiding activities.

Conclusions

TRPV1 plays an important role in urinary bladder mechanosensitivity. The effective SQW is hard to play its proper role on bladder function of mice without TRPV1.

Peer Review reports

Background

Efficient bladder micturition is triggered primarily by bladder afferent nerve activities and the synthesis of somatic and autonomic efferent mechanisms that coordinate detrusor contraction and sphincter relaxation during bladder distension. The dysfunctions of these normal pathways are probably related to lower urinary tract storage disorders, such as urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptom syndrome (OAB) [1, 2]. In the field of urology, TRPV1 has been extensively studied for several decades. The role of TRPV1 receptors has also been analyzed in various urinary tract pathologies. As a pressure sensor, TRPV1 mediates stretch detection and regulates sensory function in the bladder [3, 4]. Clinical evidence has proven that modulating the function of TRPV1 signaling is related to treating many lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) [5, 6]. Direct or indirect stimulation of afferent nerve fibers modulated afferent information to the central nervous system (CNS), consequently influenced bladder filling or voiding. One of the mechanisms underlie TRPV1 induced increased contraction is the hypothesis that TRPV1 is expressed by the epithelial cells of the transitional epithelium, and that the activation of these TRPV1-expressing cells results in ATP release, which consequently activates P2X3 receptors lead to bladder smooth muscle contraction [7].

Many Chinese traditional prescription have bladder functional regulation effect and have been used in the clinical treatment of LUTS in China, Suo Quan Wan (SQW) [8] and Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan (Hachi-mi-jio-gan) [9] are the representative prescription. SQW, which comprised A. oxyphylla Miq, Dioscorea rhizome Thunb., and Aconitii tuber, is speculated to have a relaxant effect on acetylcholine-induced contraction of smooth muscles and is used clinically in the treatment of LUTS [9]. Previously, we used OAB model rats, in which TRPV1 was highly expressed in the bladder, to investigated the treated effect of SQW on OAB. Results demonstrated that the highly expression level of TRPV1 in the bladder after induction of BOO, decreased after treated with SQW, and showed dose-dependent effects. Moreover, results of TRPV1 expression in the bladder are in agreement with urodynamic change, according to the induction of OAB model and SQW treatment. This studies have provides evidences that treatment of SQW on the bladder function of OAB is related to TRPV1 modulation effect [8].

Based on this previous studies, we put forward a hypothesis that SQW modulating bladder function maybe related with the functional interaction of TRPV1 and P2X3. Thus, we further investigated the mechanisms of SQW on TRPV1 signaling by using TRPV1 knockout (KO) mice. We applied in vivo cystometrogram recording techniques to analyze the urinary bladder function of TRPV1 KO mice, as well as in vitro organ bath to study bladder distension response to various compounds, which subsequently elicited normal smooth muscle excitation. ATP released from bladder strips was measured using the luciferin–luciferase ATP bioluminescence assay kit. The expression of TRPV1 and P2X3 in mice bladder was measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Above to further study the mechanism of SQW on TRPV1 regulation.

Methods

Animals and experimental grouping

Adult female C57BL/6 wild type (WT, 10–12 weeks, 18–22 g, n = 10) and TRPV1 gene KO (TRPV1−/−, KO) mice (10–12 weeks, 18–22 g), Jackson Laboratories (n = 32), were used in this study. The TRPV1−/− KO mice were grouped into the TRPV1 KO group, the SQW high dosage (1170 mg/kg) treated group (SQW H), and the SQW low dosage (585 mg/kg) treated group (SQW L), the selection of dosage of SQW is according to our previous studies [8]. The animals were kept in a regulated environment, with free access to food and water, and maintained on a 12 h:12 h light/dark cycle. No overt difference in feeding behavior, litter size growth rate, and body weight was observed among the four groups.

Drug preparation

In our study, the SQW was purchased from Hunan Hansen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Briefly, the process and production are as follows, all these three components are weighed in the ratio of 1:1:1 and well-mixed after grinded into powder. Using appropriate distilled water to help these powder make into pills. According to the Chinese Pharmacopeia [10], assurance of quality control for SQW is validated and linderane is the recorded reference standard of SQW. HPLC and TLC were used to test these typical chemicals of SQW in our present experiment [11] (Data submitted as Additional file 1).

Voiding stain on paper (VSOP) analysis

The mice were individually kept in metabolic cages. Food and water were unlimited, and the mice were allowed to adapt to the new environment for 24 h. Urine output was measured by evaluating the surface area of the stains on the paper used for VSOP analysis (Whatman) for 3 h after the mice were placed in the cages. The collected papers were imaged under ultraviolet light to visualize the urine area and analyzed using the edge-detection function of ImageJ software to determine the surface area of the individually voided urine spots. The voiding volumes of each mouse were calculated based on a calibration curve of surface area versus fluid drops of known volume (1 μL, 2 μL, 5 μL, 10 μL, 20 μL, 50 μL, 100 μL, 200 μL) (Fig. 1a).

Fig. 1
figure 1

a Standard curve of VSOP. The surface area is make by fluid drops of known volume (1 μL, 2 μL, 5 μL, 10 μL, 20 μL, 50 μL, 100 μL, 200 μL). b Linear correlation between liquid volume and stained area on the filter paper within the range of 50–800 μL, r = 0.9994, y = 4830.30 x + 1586.07 (b)

Urodynamic test

Urodynamic evaluation was performed using a urodynamic measuring device (Laborite Delphis 94-R01-BT, Canada). Mouse were anesthetized by administration of 10 % urethane (4.0 mg/kg) [12]. The bladder was emptied and a two-barrel Polyethylene tubing with a heat-flared end was inserted into the dome of the bladder and secured by a silk suture. One barrel of the tubing was connected to a pressure transducer for continuous measurement of intravesical pressures, another was connected to a Harvard syringe pump for infuse saline into the bladder. After the bladder was emptied, cystometrography was performed using saline infusion at 50 μL/min. Maximum voiding pressure (MVP) and bladder pressure (BP) were then measured. Pumping was stopped at that moment when urine was observed at the external orifice of the urethra. Maximum bladder capacity (MBC) was calculated as infusion speed multiplied by time [13]. The values for the individual mouse represent the means of two or three voiding cycles.

In vitro experimental protocols

The mice were anesthetized with urethane (Halocarbon Laboratories, USA), and the urinary bladder was quickly removed at the level of the bladder neck. The bladder body was cut open vertically and divided into strips with identical length (1.5 mm × 5 mm). A strip was mounted longitudinally onto a pressure transducer that was connected online to a PowerLab 4/30 Data Acquisition System (LABCHART 5) and to a Dual Core processor Pentium computer for real-time monitoring of physiological force. The strips were equilibrated for at least 1 h in Krebs–Henseleit (Krebs) solution (composition: NaCl 110 mM, KCl 4.8 mM, CaCl2 2.5 mM, MgSO4 1.2 mM, KH2PO4 1.2 mM, NaHCO3 25 mM, and dextrose 11 mM) at 37 °C with the continuous bubbling of 95 % O2 and 5 % CO2. The strips were continuously adjusted to a 0.5 g resting tension.

In this experiment, α,β-me ATP (100 uM) was initially added. Then, contractile tone was measured following the cumulative application of CAP (10 uM), carbachol (10−8, 3 × 10−8, 10−7, 3 × 10−7, 10−6, 3 × 10−6, 10−5 M), and KCl (100 mM). After the contractile response of each compound reached plateau, the strips were washed thrice and allowed to equilibrate further for 30 min before the next compounds were added.

ATP release measurements

The Krebs solution was collected after CAP was added, and the amount of ATP in the samples was determined using the luciferin–luciferase ATP bioluminescence assay kit (Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, USA). To calculate ATP release, the amounts detected in the samples were corrected for total bladder volume and time.

RT-PCR

RT-PCR was performed as previously described [8]. Total RNA from the bladder tissue was isolated by a TRIZOL reagent and reverse transcribed into cDNA using an RT-PCR kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) [14, 15]. The synthesized cDNA was amplified via quantitative RT-PCR on an ABI Prism 7500 system using SYBR Green RT-PCR master mix reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Table 1 presents the expected RT-PCR product sizes and primers used in this study. Data were collected and analyzed using complementary computer software. Gene expression was calculated using the 2−ΔΔCt method and normalized to GAPDH expression in each sample [15].

Table 1 Primers used for the RT-PCR analysis of TRPV1, P2X3, and GAPDH

Western blot analysis

Western blot analysis was performed as previously described [8]. Tissue was homogenized, and total proteins were extracted using a total protein extraction reagent kit [16]. Protein concentration was measured using Pierce BCA protein assay kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Protein samples were separated on SDS-PAGE gels and transferred to PVDF membranes using a transblotting apparatus (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA). Membranes were blocked with non-fat milk and subsequently incubated with rabbit anti-TRPV1 (1:1000; Abcam plc, UK) or rabbit anti-P2X3 (1:1000; Abcam plc, UK). After processing washes, the membranes were probed with a secondary antibody (1:2000; Millipore Corporation, USA). Protein bands were visualized using ECL Western blot detection reagents (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA). The intensity of each target protein band was analyzed and expressed relative to β-actin density.

Data analyses

Data are expressed as means ± standard deviation of mean (SD). For multiple comparisons, repeated-measure ANOVA (Holm–Sidak) was used. Pairwise and non-pairwise comparisons were performed via Student’s t-test. Linear regression analyses were also conducted where appropriate, and ANCOVA was used to compare regression slopes and intercepts. These calculation processes were performed using SPSS 13.0 based on the number of individuals. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Table 2 presents the results of VSOP. The standard curve of VSOP is shown in Fig. 1b, where r = 0.9994 and y = 4830.30 x + 1586.07. The KO mice exhibited significant increases in micturition interval and decreases in voiding volume and micturition times. However, neither SQW high dosage nor low dosage treatment significantly changed the voiding behavior of the KO mice.

Table 2 Micturition activities of the WT, TRPV1−/−, SQW H, and SQW L groups

During intravesical instillation with NS, the KO mice exhibited lower bladder pressure (BP, MVP) than the WT mice, and MBC was increased. Compared with the KO mice, the SQW treated mice exhibited a slight increase in bladder pressure (BP, MVP) (Fig. 2a, b), whereas no change was observed in MBC (Fig. 2c).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Comparisons of cystometry parameter bladder pressure (BP, MVP), and MBC of the WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. a The Comparisons of MVP of WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. b The Comparisons of BP of WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. c The Comparisons of MBC of WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. * = P < 0.05; ** = P < 0.01, KO group vs. WT group; # = P < 0.05; ## = P < 0.01, treated group vs. KO group. Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test if data are not normally distributed

The standard curve of ATP release is shown in Fig. 3b, where r = 0.9998 and y = 2.64 x- 9.48. The ATP release from the bladder strips of the KO mice was significantly lower than that from the WT mice. SQW high dosage treatment slightly increased ATP release; by contrast, no significant difference was found after SQW low dosage treatment (Fig. 3a).

Fig. 3
figure 3

The values of ATP release from the bladder strips of the WT, TRPV1−/−, SQW H, and SQW L groups are presented. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. * = P < 0.05; ** = P < 0.01, KO group vs. WT group. Standard curve of the ATP release measurement, where r = 0.9998 and y = 2.64 x- 9.48

Force response of TRPV1−/− mice bladder smooth muscle strips to α,β-me ATP (100 uM), KCl (100 mM), and carbachol (10−8, 3 × 10−8, 10−7, 3 × 10−7, 10−6, 3 × 10−6, 10−5 M) was significantly reduced (Fig. 4b, c, d), whereas no response to CAP (10 uM) (Fig. 4a), which were observed increase the contraction of the bladder strips of the WT mice.

Fig. 4
figure 4

Comparison of bladder strips from different groups in response to α, β-me ATP, CAP, and KCl; and the CRCs of carbachol. a Force response to CAP of the WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. b Force response to α,β-me ATP of the WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. c Force response to KCl of the WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. d CRCs of carbachol of the WT, KO, SQW H, and SQW L groups. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. * = P < 0.05; ** = P < 0.01, KO group vs. WT group

According to the results of the RT-PCR and western blot analysis (Fig. 5a, b, c, d), the TRPV1−/− mice exhibited no TRPV1 expression and a lower expression level of P2X3 in the bladder compared with the WT mice. Similar results were obtained for the SQW H and the SQW L groups.

Fig. 5
figure 5

Effects of SQW treatment on TRPV1 and P2X3 protein expression in the bladder. a The mRNA expression of TRPV1 in the mice bladder. b The protein expression of TRPV1 in the mice bladder. c The mRNA expression of P2X3 in the mice bladder. d The protein expression of P2X3 in the mice bladder. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. # = P < 0.05, ## = P < 0.01 vs. OAB model group. For the protein expression, the groups order of immunoblot membranes from left to right are: WT group, SQW H group, SQW L group, KO group

Discussion

TRPV1 was observed functions as a chemical and thermal sensor in vivo and plays an essential role in inflammation, nociception, and heat perception by creating a TRPV1 KO mice model [17]. Another research of Birder et al. on mice lacking TRPV1 receptor inhibited increased frequency of urination and increased frequency of low-amplitude contractions in such animals [4]. These observations clearly indicate the involvement of TRPV1 receptors in the micturition process, not only in pathological states, but also in normal conditions. In previously study, the TRPV1 KO mice inhibited attenuation of bladder pressure during intravesical instillation with NS. And the in vitro bath study of the bladder strips of the KO mice showed weakened force response to α, β-meATP, carbachol in gradient concentration, and KCl. But no wonder had no response to CAP. These compounds subsequently elicited smooth muscle strip excitation in the WT mice. Those might drived the TRPV1 KO mice exhibited micturition interval extension, and the decrease of micturition times within a certain period. CAP which located on non-selective ion channels with high permeability for Ca2+ ions is ligand of vanilloid receptors. CAP can cause a lower threshold of excitability of these receptors and lead to sensitization and activation [18]. Therefore, no effect was observed in in vitro studies of animals lacking TRPV1 receptors.

Previous study also showed that TRPV1−/− mice exhibited no expression of TRPV1 in both RT-PCR and western blot analysis, along with low ATP content release from bladder strips and low mRNA and protein expression level of P2X3. Stimuli by second messenger, such as ATP can cause increased expression in sensory neurons (capsaicin- sensitive fibers) leading to sensitization of sensory fibers, consequently leads to functional disorders of the lower urinary tract (especially urinary bladder) [19]. Generally, activation with capsaicin can increase intracellular calcium, evoke transmitter (such as ATP) release, and elicit transient currents [4, 20], which consequently activates P2X3 receptors lead to bladder smooth muscle contraction [7]. In contract, mice lacking TRPV1 have no expression of TRPV1 in bladder, inadequate neuron sensitivity lead to Ca2+ ions permeability decreased and caused ATP release reduced which related to lower P2X3 expression level. Consequently bring down the contractility of bladder smooth muscle, which can be observed in the in vitro study that KO mice inhibited weakened force response to the compounds supposed to exciting smooth muscle. And eventually caused micturition reflex delay. This result provided proof for the hypothesis on how TRPV1 would affect bladder contraction.

The detailed knowledge of the TRPV1 of lower urinary tract and its interactions appears to be of great clinical significance, as well as being a prerequisite for proper treatment of functional disorders of the urinary tract [21]. In our latest study, we have provided a part of the scientific foundation of SQW is efficacy in recovering bladder function, which is related to the modulation of the TRPV1 expression in bladder [8]. Current study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of SQW on modulating the function of TRPV1 using TRPV1 KO mice. The results indicated that SQW could not improved the voiding behavior of the KO mice. This finding is probably related to the inconspicuous effect on bladder pressure during intravesical instillation. Meanwhile, the phenomenon of urodynamic parameter improvement among OAB rats after treatment with SQW was not observed in mice that lacking the TRPV1 gene. Furthermore, SQW treatment did not significantly affect the force response to α,β-meATP, CAP, carbachol in gradient concentration, and KCl. Although the level of ATP release slightly increased, the expression of P2X3 did not change significantly. According to the aforementioned study, we speculate that SQW modulates the function of TRPV1 and eventually benefits bladder mechanosensitivity and voiding behavior. This phenomenon is relevant with the functional TRPV1 signal and the physiological vanilloid-sensitive afferent neurons transmission.

Conclusions

The main findings of the present study are as follows. Firstly, reduce ATP release from the bladder and P2X3 secreted from nerves of mice without TRPV1 may result in decrease bladder pressure and voiding reflex delay lead to micturition interval extension. Secondly, the results of SQW intervene on the TRPV1−/− mice exhibited slightly increased ATP release along with insignificant difference on TRPV1 and P2X3 expression and bladder detrusor contractile activities compared with the KO control group. Even though SQW can improve the bladder function in some degree, is still far more than enough to recoverd to normal of TRPV1 KO mice. Meanwhile, the effective SQW is hard to function normally on bladder function of mice without TRPV1. Therefore, we speculate that the treated effect of SQW on bladder function is related to the modulated the TRPV1 signaling which dominated the afferent nerve conduction and the relevant neurotransmitter secretion.

Abbreviations

BOO:

Bladder outlet obstruction

BP:

Bladder pressure

CAP:

Capsaicin

CNS:

Central nervous system

KO:

Knock out

LUTS:

Lower urinary tract symptoms

MBC:

Maximum bladder capacity

MVP:

Maximum voiding pressure

OAB:

Over active bladder

RT-PCR:

Real-time polymerase chaim reaction

SQW:

Suo Quan Wan

TRPV1:

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1

VSOP:

Voiding stain on paper

WB:

Western blot

References

  1. Brito R, Sheth S, Mukherjea D, Rybak LP, Ramkumar V. TRPV1: A Potential Drug Target for Treating Various Diseases. Cells. 2014;3:517–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Daly D, Rong W, Chess-Williams R, Chapple C, Grundy D. Bladder afferent sensitivity in wild-type and TRPV1 knockout mice. J Physiol. 2007;583(2):663–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Gevaert T, Vandepitte J, Hutchings G, et al. TRPV1 is involved in stretch-evoked contractile change in the rat autonomous bladder model: A study with piperine: A new TRPV1 agonist. Neurourol Urodyn. 2007;26:440–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Birder LA, Nakamura Y, Kiss S, et al. Altered urinary bladder function in mice lacking the vanilloid receptor TRPV1. Nat Neurosci. 2002;5:856–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Andersson KE, Gratzke C, Hedlund P. The role of the transient recepyor potential (TRP) superfamily of cation-selective channels in the management of the overactive bladder. BJU Int. 2010;106(8):1114–27.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Liu L, Mansfield KJ, Kristiana I, et al. The molecular basis of urgency: regional difference of vanilliod receptor Expression in the Human urinary bladder. Neurourol Urodyn. 2007;26:433–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Heng YJ, Saunders CI, Kunde DA, Geraghty DP. TRPV1, NK1 receptor and substance P immunoreactivity and gene expression in the rat lumbosacral spinal cord and urinary bladder after systemic, low dose vanilloid administration. Regul Pept. 2011;167:250–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lai H, Tan B, Lian Z, Yan Q, Lian Q, Wu Q, Huang P, Cao H. Effect of the Chinese traditional prescription Suo Quan Wan on TRPV1 expression in the bladder of rats with bladder outlet obstruction. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:424.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Ito Y, Seki M, Nishioka Y, et al. Pharmacological effects of Hachi-mi-jio-gan extract (Harncare) on the contractile response and on pharmacologically relevant receptors in the rat bladder. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2009;129:957–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. China Pharmacopoeia Committee 2010, first volume, 1218.

  11. LIANG Zhijian, JIANG Weiwen, CAO Hongying, et al. Study on Quality Standard of Suoquan Pills. Traditional Chinese Drug Research & Clinical Pharmacology, 2015;26(2):236–237.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Liu M, Shen S, Grider JR, Qiao LY. Inhibition of NMDAR reduces bladder hypertrophy and improves bladder functionality in cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. J Urol. 2015;193(5):1676–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Choi BH, Jin LH, Kim KH, Kang SA, Kang JH, Yoon SM, Park CS, Lee T. Cystometric parameters and the activity of signaling proteins in association with the compensation or decompensation of bladder function in an animal experimental model of partial bladder outlet obstruction. Int J Mol Med. 2013;32(6):1435–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhu Q, Liu M, Han WQ, Li PL, Wang Z, Li N. Over expression of HIF Prolyl-Hydoxylase-2 transgene in the renal medulla induced a salt-sensitive hypertension. J Cell Mol Med. 2012;16(11):2701–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Kay JC, Xia CM, Liu M, Shen S, Yu SJ, Chung C, Qiao LY. Endogenous PI3K/Akt and NMDAR act independently in the regulation of CREB activity in lumbosacral spinal cord in cystitis. Exp Neurol. 2013;250:366–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mattiasson A, Blaakaer J, Høye K, et al. Simplified bladder training augments the effectiveness of tolterodine in patients with an overactive bladder. BJU Int. 2003;91(1):54–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Everaerts W, Gevaert T, Nilius B, De Ridder D. On the origin of bladder sensing: Tr(i)ps in urology. Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27:264–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nagy I, Santha P, Jancso G, Urban L. The role of the Vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor (TRPV1) in physiology and pathology. Eur J Pharmacol. 2004;500:351–69.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Vlaskovska M, Kasakov L, Rong W, et al. P2X3 knock-out mice reveal a major sensory role for urothelially released ATP. J Neurosci. 2001;21(15):5670–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Kullmann FA, Shah MA, Birder LA, de Groat WC. Functional TRP and ASIC-like channels in cultured urothelial cells from the rat. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2009;296:F892–901.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Juszczak K, Thor PJ. The basic neurophysiologic concept of lower urinary tract function -- the role of vanilloid TRPV1 receptors of urinary bladder afferent nerve endings. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2012;21(4):417–21.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 81202982 & 81673676), entitled “Investigating the Effect of SQW on Overactive Bladder Based on TRPV1,” “Effect and Mechanism of SQW on Neurotransmission Abnormality in the Treatment Recovery of Diabetic Cystopathy” and the Special Funds from the Central Finance of China in support of the Development of Local Colleges and Universities [Educational finance grant no. 338 (2013)], Science Program for Overseas Scholar of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Torch Program, no. XH20140111).

Funding

Refer to Acknowledgments.

Availability of data and materials

The raw data of our study hasn’t been deposited in repository, but the materials and data of our study are available to other researchers upon request, and can also email us for more details about our study.

Authors’ contributions

HL participated in its design, carried out the animal studies, participated in the molecular biology experiments, data collected, statistica analysis and drafted the manuscript. QY participated in the animal studies, conllection of data and performed the statistical analysis. PC participated in the molecular biology experiments, conllection of data and performed the statistical analysis. YX participated in the conllection of data, performed the statistical analysis and help to drafted the manuscript. WJ participated in the conllection of data, performed the statistical analysis and help to drafted the manuscript. HC participated in its design and coordination, statistica analysis and help revising the draft critically for important intellectual content. QW participated in its design and coordination and help revising the draft critically for important intellectual content. BT conceived of the study, and participated in the design and coordination the whole study and help revising the draft critically for important intellectual content. PH participated in its design and coordination and help revising the draft critically for important intellectual content. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Authors’ information

Refer to title page.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Consent for publication

All authors have consented for publication.

Ethics approval

The protocols involved in this study were in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the Experimental Animal Center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and were approved by the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Animal Care and Use Ethics Committee. The experiment was performed following international, national, and institutional animal experiment rules. The mice were handled according to internationally accepted principles for the care and welfare of laboratory animals (E.E.C. Council Directive 86/609, O.J. no L358, 18/12/86). All the animals were sacrificed by anesthesia at the end of the experiment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Ping Huang or Bo Tan.

Additional file

Additional file 1:

The quality control of Suoquanwan (SQW). (PDF 139 kb)

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lai, H., Yan, Q., Cao, H. et al. Effect of SQW on the bladder function of mice lacking TRPV1. BMC Complement Altern Med 16, 465 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1420-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1420-6

Keywords