Immunohistochemical evidence suggests repeated intravesical application of botulinum toxin A injections may improve treatment efficacy of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

BJU Int. 2013 Apr;111(4):638-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11466.x. Epub 2012 Sep 3.

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: A single set of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections relieves clinical symptoms of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), but lacks long-term effect. An inadequate anti-inflammatory effect is likely to cause treatment failure. The study shows that chronic inflammation and apoptotic signalling molecules are significantly reduced after repeated intravesical BoNT-A injection in patients with IC/BPS. It also shows that repeated BoNT-A injections are necessary to achieve greater success in the treatment of IC/BPS.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of action of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) treatment on interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

Patients and methods: A total of 23 women with IC/BPS who received single intravesical BoNT-A injection were studied. Among them, 11 received three repeated injections every 6 months to improve their symptoms. Bladder biopsy was obtained before each BoNT-A injection and the clinical symptoms and urodynamic variables were recorded. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for TUNEL and mast cell activity, and western blotting analysis of tryptase, cytokines, Bax and phospho-p38 (p-p38) were carried out. We compared the clinical results and IHC data among baseline, single or repeated BoNT-A treatments.

Results: Single BoNT-A injection improved clinical symptoms, pain score and daytime urinary frequency. Mast cell activity and apoptotic cell count did not decrease significantly, while Bax and p-p38, but not tryptase, decreased significantly after a single BoNT-A injection. The 11 patients who received three repeated BoNT-A injections had significantly lower pain scores than the remaining patients (mean [SD]: 5.80 [2.27] vs. 3.03 [2.30], P = 0), glomerulation degree (mean [SD]: 1.80 [1.06] vs. 1.20 [1.06], P = 0.026) and global response scores (mean [SD]: 0.30 [0.92] vs. 1.20 [1.06], P = 0) after treatment. Tryptase, Bax, p-p38 and apoptotic cell counts all decreased significantly. 25-kD synaptosomal-associated protein also decreased after BoNT-A treatments, which confirmed the therapeutic effect of repeated BoNT-A injections.

Conclusions: Chronic inflammation and apoptotic signalling molecules were significantly reduced after repeated BoNT-A injections in patients with IC/BPS. The IHC improvement was associated with clinical symptom improvement. Repeated BoNT-A injections are necessary to achieve a greater success rate in the treatment of IC/BPS.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Blotting, Western
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cystitis, Interstitial / complications
  • Cystitis, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Cystitis, Interstitial / etiology
  • Cystitis, Interstitial / pathology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urodynamics

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A