Nerve growth factor and prostaglandins in the urine of female patients with overactive bladder

Purpose: NGF and PGs in the bladder can be affected by pathological changes in the bladder and these changes can be detected in urine. We investigated changes in urinary NGF and PGs in women with OAB. Materials and Methods: The study groups included 65 women with OAB and 20 without bladder symptoms who served as controls. Evaluation included patient history, urinalysis, a voiding diary and urodynamic studies. Urine samples were collected. NGF, PGE(2), PGF(2 alpha) and PGI(2) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between the groups. In addition, correlations between urinary NGF and PG, and urodynamic parameters in patients with OAB were examined. Results: Urinary NGF, PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) were significantly increased in patients with OAB compared with controls (p <0.05). However, urinary PGI(2) was not different between controls and patients with OAB. In patients with OAB urinary PGE, positively correlated with volume at first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity (p <0.05). Urinary NGF, PGF(2 alpha) and PGI(2) did not correlate with urodynamic parameters in patients with OAB. Conclusions: NGF and PGs have important roles in the development of OAB symptoms in female patients. Urinary levels of these factors may be used as markers to evaluate OAB symptoms.