Role of PKC and CaV1.2 in Detrusor Overactivity in a Model of Obesity Associated with Insulin Resistance in Mice

Luiz O. Leiria, Carolina Sollon, Marina C. Calixto, Letícia Lintomen, Fabíola Z. Mónica, Gabriel F. Anhê, Gilberto De Nucci, Angelina Zanesco, Andrew D. Grant, Edson Antunes*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Obesity/metabolic syndrome are common risk factors for overactive bladder. This study aimed to investigate the functional and molecular changes of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) in high-fat insulin resistant obese mice, focusing on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and Cav1.2 in causing bladder dysfunction. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 10 weeks. In vitro functional responses and cystometry, as well as PKC and Cav1.2 expression in bladder were evaluated. Obese mice exhibited higher body weight, epididymal fat mass, fasting glucose and insulin resistance. Carbachol (0.001-100 μM), α,β-methylene ATP (1-10 μM), KCl (1-300 mM), extracellular Ca2+ (0.01-100 mM) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 0.001-3 μM) all produced greater DSM contractions in obese mice, which were fully reversed by the Cav1.2 blocker amlodipine. Cystometry evidenced augmented frequency, non-void contractions and post-void pressure in obese mice that were also prevented by amlodipine. Metformin treatment improved the insulin sensitivity, and normalized the in vitro bladder hypercontractility and cystometric dysfunction in obese mice. The PKC inhibitor GF109203X (1 μM) also reduced the carbachol induced contractions. PKC protein expression was markedly higher in bladder tissues from obese mice, which was normalized by metformin treatment. The Cav1.2 channel protein expression was not modified in any experimental group. Our findings show that Cav1.2 blockade and improvement of insulin sensitization restores the enhanced PKC protein expression in bladder tissues and normalizes the overactive detrusor. It is likely that insulin resistance importantly contributes for the pathophysiology of this urological disorder in obese mice.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere48507
JournalPLoS One
Volume7
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Nov 2012

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