The detrusor glycogen content of a de-obstructed bladder reflects the functional history of that bladder during PBOO.

AIMS

To determine if detrusor glycogen content in a bladder after removal of a urethral obstruction reflects the situation of bladder dysfunction as it existed during the period of obstruction.

METHODS

The glycogen content of the detrusor was scored using a Periodic Acid Schiff's (PAS) staining. It was related to the functional history of the bladder. Bladder tissue was obtained from a guinea-pig model for posterior urethral valves where animals had been obstructed for up to 10 weeks, de-obstructed and allowed to recover for 2--8 weeks. Bladder urodynamic function had been documented with multiple measurements for the complete period of obstruction and de-obstruction.

RESULTS

The degree of glycogen deposition in a bladder after de-obstruction correlated directly with bladder function during obstruction. The strongest glycogen deposition was found in bladders having experienced the highest pressures, most instabilities, lowest compliance and highest contractility. In contrast, the bladder glycogen content was not related to the function of the bladder at the day the tissue was obtained, except for a relation between high glycogen content and continuing low compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

The glycogen content of a bladder reflects the history of bladder dysfunction, also when measured during a recovery period. This window on the functional history of a bladder may be of clinical value for picking out potential bad-responders to therapy in patients with incomplete data on bladder function during a previous period of bladder obstruction.