Influence of indomethacin on the adherence of urease-induced crystals to rat bladder epithelium.

The mucous coat lining the urinary tract has a barrier function which prevents bacteria and crystals from adhering to the uroepithelium. The mucous coat of the gastric mucosa is sensitive to prostaglandins, and prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors induce gastric erosions and disrupt the continuity of the mucous lining. To determine whether prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors also exert a similar effect on the uroepithelium, rats were given indomethacin intraperitoneally or orally. The effect of this treatment on the adhesion of urease-induced crystals to rat bladder mucosa was studied using a previously developed in-vivo method. Both when given intraperitoneally and orally in a dose of one mg. per kg. b.w. for six weeks, indomethacin significantly increased crystal adherence. This constitutes indirect evidence for the concept that prostaglandins influence the mucous coat of the rat urinary tract and reduce its antiadhesive properties.