Objective To explore an effective method to culture and purify canine bladder transitional epithelial cells.Methods Bladder tissue was obtained from healthy puppy under sterile conditions. Bladder mucosa was removed from the remaining tissue with fine scissor and minced into small pieces, and then were dissociated into single cell suspensions with 0.125% trypsin. The bladder epithelial cells were cultured in defined keratinocyte serum free medium. The cells were passaged and purified by 0.05% trypsin and 0.02% EDTA. Morphological characterization were studied under inverted phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope. Expression of cell specific marker protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results Canine bladder transitional epithelial cells could be efficiently cultivated and expanded in serum-free medium without fibroblast contamination. The cells could be passaged 4-6 times without a distinguished decrease in cell proliferation. The cells were characterized by well-developed micro filament and desmosome junction under transmission electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining with broadly reacting anticytokeratin antibodies (AE1/AE3) confirmed the epithelial phenotype of the cells.Different generations of cells showed diploid cells. Conclusion A large number of bladder transitional epithelial cells can be obtained from small bladder tissue with our digestion method. The cultured bladder epithelial cells can be proliferated to sufficient quantities for further reconstructive purposes.
Objective To establish the artificial bladder reflex arc by the normal body reflex pathway above the horizon of spinal cord injury to reinnervate the flaccid bladder and restore bladder micturition function. Methods An intradural microanastomosis was performed on the L6 ventral root tothe S2 ventral root. After axonal regeneration,the “patellar ligament-spinal cord center-bladder” reflex pathway was reestablished. A longterm function of the reflex arc was observed in the nerve electrophysiological experiment, detrusor electromyography experiment, and urodynamic testing 8 months after anastomosis. Results Trains of the stimuli(200 μV,5 ms) in the left L6 dorsal root and the nerve at the anastomosizedsite resulted in motor evoked potential from the disal to the anastomosized site before and after the spinal cord was destroyed horizontally between S1 and S4 segment levels in 2 Beegle dogs.The figure and amplitude of the evoked potential were similar to those of the control and general stability which showed anoninterventional wave. The urodynamic test revealed a rapid increase of the bladder pressure and a minor increase in the abdominal pressure. This showed that the bladder detrusor mainly resulted in the pressure increase.The bladder pressure increased to 60% of the normal on average compared with the controls when resulted in the left L6 dorsal root and the nerve anastomosized site were stinulated. Conclusion The long-term observation by the nerveelectrophysiological experiment, detrusor electromyography experiment, and urodynamic test indicate that the new artificial reflex arc can be established successfully. The somatic motor axons can regenerate into the parasympathetic endoneurial tubes of the autonomic nerve.
Objective To investigate the biocompatibil ity of sil ica gel embedded permanent magnets of themicturition alert device dedicated to neurogenic bladder. Methods According to the national standards of biologicalevaluation of medical equipment (GB/T 16886), Shanghai Biomaterial Research and Test Center was confided to evaluate the biocompatibil ity of sil ica gel embedded permanent magnets both in vitro and in vivo, including cytotoxicity test, sensitization test, primary skin irritant test and acute general toxicity test. The cytotoxicity test was performed according to the agar diffusion method. The L929 cell discoloration index and cell lysis index were counted at 24 hours after the action of the specimen. The sensitization test was performed according to the maximal dose method. The skin response was evaluated in 30 male albino guinea-pigs at 24 and 48 hours after the routine induction and provocation of leaching l iquors of the specimen. The primary skin irritant test was evaluated in 2 male healthy New Zealand rabbits according to the local tissue response at 24, 48 and 72 hours after intradermal injection of leaching l iquors of the specimen. The acute general toxicity test was evaluated in 10 male Kumming mice musculus albus according to animal condition at 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours after injection of leaching l iquors of the specimen through the caudal vein. Both the general reaction of canines and the pathology of the local bladder walls were observed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after a permanent magnet was fixed on the anterior wall of urinary bladder in three canines. Results No sensitization, no stimulation and no acute general toxicity were observed except sl ight cytotoxicity to sil ica gel embeddedpermanent magnets. After implantation of a permanent magnet, the canines showed excellent tolerace, which manifested as no abnormal ity in spirit, appetite, urine and stool, healed wounds and no infection. Adhesions occurred between the epiploon and the bladder wall around the permanent magnet in two canines at 2 and 4 weeks, and between the lower abdominal wall and the bladder wall around the permanent magnet in the other canine at 8 weeks. The local bladder wall below permanent magnet was thickened, the fibrous capsule around the permanent magnet was thin, but the bladder mucosa was normal. Inflammatory reaction such as congestion, edema and inflammatory cells lessened from the serosa layer to the mucosa layer microscopically. Conclusion Sil ica gel embedded permanent magnets used in the micturition alert device dedicated to neurogenic bladde has excellent biocompatibil ity and meet the criteria for cl inical appl ication．
Objective It is a thorny problem to reconstruct long ureteral defect in urinary surgery. To investigate the feasibil ity of intestinal sero-muscular segment with autograft of bladder mucosa as a replacement material for reconstructionof long ureteral defect. Methods Twelve adult Beagle dogs (weighing 6.5-9.3 kg and being male or female) were randomlydivided into 3 groups, each group including 4 dogs. In group A, lower segment of ureter was reconstructed by autograft of bladder mucosa to the intestinal sero-muscular segment; furthermore, the proximal and distal reconstructed ureter were anastomosed to the bladder and the upper ureter, respectively. In group B, upper segment of ureter was reconstructed by the same method as that of group A, the proximal and distal reconstructed ureter anastomosised with pelvic and lower ureter, respectively. In group C, whole ureter was reconstructed by the same method as that of group A, the proximal and distal reconstructed ureter were anastomosised with pelvic and bladder, respectively. Blood urea nitrogen, Cr2+, K+, Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ and carbon dioxide combining power were detected before operation, the general state, drainage volume, heal ing of wound, and compl ications were observed after operation. At 6 weeks, the blood biochemical indexes and intravenous urography (IVU) were detected, and the gross and histological observations of ureter were done. Results In group B, urine leakeage and infection occurred in 1 dog 2 days after operation because ureter stent prolapsed; other dogs had no complications. There was no significant difference in the biochemical indexes between before operation and 6 weeks after operation. IVU showed: in group A, hydronepherosis and ureterectasia occurred on the operation side of 1 dog; in group B, anastomotic stricture between the reconstructed ureter and lower ureter and hydronepherosis occurred in 1 dog; and in other dogs of all groups, renal function was good and the reconstructed ureter had peristalsis function. The histopathological observation showed that the reconstructed ureter had similar structure to normal ureterat 6 weeks in 3 groups; the inflammatory cells infiltrating of the reconstructed ureter was observed in 1 dog of groups A and C, respectively. Conclusion Reconstruction of ureter by intestinal sero-muscular segment with autograft of bladder mucosa has similar structure and function to the normal ureter. The results might provide an experimental basis for cl inical use.
Objective To explore an effective method of culturing the canine bladder smooth muscle cells, observe the morphological characteristics of the bladder smooth muscle cells growing on acellular small intestinal submucosa（SIS） and offer an experimental basis for reconstruction of the bladder smooth muscle structure by the tissue engineering techniques. Methods The enzymetreatment method and the explant method were respectively used to isolate and harvest the canine bladder smooth muscle cells, and then a primary culture of these cells was performed. The canine bladder smooth musclecells were seeded on the SIS scaffold, and the composite of the bladder smooth muscle cells and the SIS scaffold were co cultured for a further observation. At 5,7 and 9 days of the co culture, the specimens were taken; the bladder smooth muscle cells growing on the SIS scaffold were observed by the hematoxylin staining, the HE staining, and the scanning electron microscopy. The composite of the bladder smooth muscle cells on the SIS scaffold was used as the experimental group, and the bladder smooth muscle cells with no SIS were used as the control group. In each group, 9 holes were chosen for the seeded bladder smooth muscle cells, and then the cells were collected at 3, 5 and 7 days for the cell counting after the enzyme treatment. Morphological characteristics of the cells were observed under the phase contrast microscope and the transmission electron microscope. Expression of the cell specific marker protein was assessed by the immunohistochemical examinaiton. The proliferation of the cells was assessed by the cell counting after the seeding on the SIS scaffold. Results The primary bladder smooth muscle cells that had been harvested by the enzyme treatment method were rapidly proliferated, and the cells had good morphological characteristics. After the primary culture in vitrofor 5 days, the bladder smooth muscle cells grew in confluence. When the bladder smooth muscle cells were seeded by the explant method, a small amount of the spindleshaped bladder smooth muscle cells emigrated from the explant at 3 days. The cells were characterized by the welldeveloped actin filaments inthe cytoplasm and the dense patches in the cell membrane under the transmissionelectron microscope. The immunohistochemical staining showed the canine bladdersmooth muscle cells with positive reacting α actin antibodies. The bladder smooth muscle cells adhered to the surface of the SIS scaffold, growing and proliferating there. After the culture in vitro for 5 days, the smooth muscle cells covered all the surface of the scaffold, showing a singlelayer cellular structure. The cell counts at 3, 5 and 7 days in the experimental group were（16.85±0.79）×105，（39.74±2.16）×105 and （37.15±2.02）×105, respectively. Thecell counts in the control group were（19.43±0.54）×105，（34.50±1.85）×105 and （33.07±1.31）×105, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups at 5 days （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWith the enzyme treatment method, the primarily cultured canine bladder smooth muscle cells can produce a great amount of good and active cells in vitro. The acellular SIS can offer an excellent bio scaffold to support the bladder smooth muscle cells to adhere and grow, which has provided the technical foundation for a further experiment on the tissue engineered bladder reconstruction.
Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system. The standard treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is the radical cystectomy combined with pelvic lymphadenectomy. In recent years, radiotherapy has played an important role in the MIBC bladder-preserving treatment model. This article will review the advances in the application of radiotherapy for bladder preservation in MIBC, and introduce the application progress of radiotherapy in trimodality therapy of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy after transurethral resection of bladder tumors, radical radiotherapy, preoperative radiotherapy, radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy, the development and challenges of radiotherapy technology, and radiotherapy-related adverse reactions. The aim of this article is to provide a reference for further exploration of a more scientific and effective comprehensive treatment mode for bladder preservation.
ObjectiveTo establish human bladder cancer cell line with silenced Fibulin-5 gene and observe the effects and mechanism of Fibulin-5 gene silencing on the proliferation activity and migration of the bladder cancer cells.MethodsThe human bladder cancer cells 5637 were divided into group F5 and group NC, and the cells in group F5 were infected with Fibulin-5 RNA interference (RNAi) lentivirus while the cells in group NC were infected with negative-control virus. Then the expression of Fibulin-5 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the cell proliferation activity was detected by MTT, the migration rate was detected by wound healing method, and the expression levels of proteins in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway were detected by PathScan RTK Signaling Antibody Array Kit.ResultsThe Fibulin-5 mRNA expression decreased significantly by Fibulin-5 RNAi lentivirus (0.067±0.013 in group F5 vs. 1.001±0.000 in group NC), and the gene silencing efficiency reached 93.3%, so the Fibulin-5 silencing cell line was established successfully. Comparing with group NC, the relative absorbance value and migration rate of cell 5637 in group F5 decreased significantly (P<0.01); in addition, the expression levels of anaplastic lymphoma kinase, Axl, p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase, and Src protein were up-regulated in group F5 (P<0.05).ConclusionFibulin-5 may play a role in the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells, and may have an inhibitory effect on extracellular signal-regulated kinase and its signaling pathway proteins.
Objective To evaluate the urine cytology silver staining combined with ultrasonography（USG）in the detection of bladder transitional cell carcinoma （TCC） recurrence after transurethral resection of bladder tumor（TURBT）in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Methods Cystoscopy was used as “gold standard”. Urine cytology combined with USG or cystoscopy was measured separately and blindly. AgNORs protein stained by silver were used in cytology with Kappa of inter-observers 0.81. For the USG, the patients were scanned with trans-rectal probe with Kappa of inter-observers 0.76. The results of urine cytology combined with USG （Positive when urine cytology and/or USG positive. Negative when both urine cytology and USG negative） were compared with “gold standard”. Results The 148 consecutive superficial TCC patients with TURBT one year previously were included in this study. Fifty seven recurrenced cases were detected. Recurrence rate was 38.51%. The sensitivity and specificity of urine cytology silver stain were 89.47% （95% CI 0.82 to 0.98） and 87.91% （95% CI 0.81 to 0.95）. Area under ROC curve was 82.22%. The sensitivity and specificity of USG were 57.90% （95% CI 0.45 to 0.71 ） and 90. 11% （ 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96）. Area under ROC curve was 73.13% . The sensitivity was improved to 94. 74% （95% CI 0.89 to 1.00） when cytology combined with USG. But specificity decreased to 84. 62% （95% CI 0.77 to 0.92 ）. Area under ROC curve was improved to 98.28%. Conclusions Urine cytology silver stain combined with USG improves the high sensitivity for follow-up TCC patients after TURBT. The non-invasive protocol is suggested.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of transurethral plasmakinetic resection of bladder tumors (PKRBT) and holmium laser resection of bladder tumors (HOLBT), and discuss the effcacy, safety, indication, and complications of PKRBT for the treatment of bladder tumors compared with HOLBT. MethodsA hundred patients with bladder tumors were divided into two groups randomly, who were selected from patients in the Department of Urology of West China Hospital from March 2011 to March 2013. Among all the 100 cases, half of them were treated with PKRBT, and all others treated with HOBLT. The significant markers in both groups were recorded and evaluated, including the situation of before operation, during operation and after operation. The data recorded consisted of the general records of patients' medical background, concomitant disease, laboratory examination, and the position, amount, pathology of the tumor, total operative duration, the time of gross hematuria, the time of postoperative bladder irrigation and catheterization, the length of stay, postoperative complications and patients' conditions at month 3, 6, and 12 during the follow-up. ResultsAll operations were successfully performed, and there was no significant diTherences between the two groups in preoperative indexes (P>0.05). No abnormalities were detected in the postoperative laboratory examinations. The diTherences in operatative duration, time of bladder irrigation, duration of indwelling catheter, and postoperative length of stay between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). But the mean time of gross hematuria was significantly shorter after operation in the HOLBT patients [(6.1±7.6) hours] than in those treated with PKRBT [(15.3±17.2) hours] (P<0.05). There was no significant diTherence between the two groups in the recurrence rate 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). ConclusionHOLBT can be used safely and effectively in treating bladder tumors, and it is easy for clinical manipulation. HOLBT is as effective and safe as PKRBT with similar adverse side-effect rate within and after operation.
ObjectiveTo observe the bladder regeneration by collagen membrane scaffolds for bladder construction to find a new alternative scaffold material. MethodsTwelve healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 300-350 g, were randomly divided into collagen membrane scaffold group (experimental group, n=6), and sham operated group (control group, n=6). Upper hemicystectomy was performed and collagen scaffold was used for reconstruction in experimental group, while the bladder was turned over without bladder resection in control group. At 30 days after operation, the animals were sacrificed and grafts were harvested;HE staining and Masson staining were used to evaluate the bladder regeneration, immunohistochemical staining was performed with α-smooth muscleactin (α-SMA) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) markers to evaluate the percentage of α-SMA positive area and capillary number. ResultsThe rats of 2 groups survived to the end of the experiment, and no urine leakage or infection was observed in experimental group. Histologically, control group presented a pattern of normal bladder structure, experimental group presented a pattern of almost normal urothelium with a small amount of smooth muscle cells and a thin layer of undegraded collagen fibers. Immunohistochemically, experimental group showed ingrowth of smooth muscle fibers and new capillary formation along the collagen membrane scaffolds. The percentage of α-SMA positive area and capillary number in experimental group were significantly lower than those in control group (6.49%±2.14% vs. 52.42%±1.78% and 4.83±0.75 vs. 14.83±1.17, respectively)(t=40.40, P=0.00; t=17.62, P=0.00). ConclusionThe collagen membrane scaffolds could be an effective scaffold material for bladder reconstruction.