Effect of umbilical cord blood stem cells transplantation on bladder dysfunction induced by cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective To demonstrate the effect of human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34⁺ cells on bladder dysfunction induced by cerebral ischemia in rats. Materials and Methods Female rats were subjected to either 60 minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or a sham operation. Rats were divided into four groups: sham operation, MCAO without treatment, infusion with 1 × 10⁶ CD34⁺ cells 30 minutes before MCAO, and infusion with 1 × 10⁶ CD34⁺ cells 3 hours after MCAO. Bladder function was analyzed by cystometry at 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after MCAO. Expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF), M₂ and M₃ muscarinic receptors were measured by immunohistochemistry and real time polymerase chain reaction. Results Cystometric results showed that, following MCAO, rats have a significant increase in peak voiding pressure and residual volume. Conversely, there is a significant decrease in voided volumes and intercontraction intervals. Cystometric variables after pre- and postischemic CD34⁺ treatment nearly returned to levels found in sham-operated rats. The expression of bladder NGF and M₃ was decreased after MCAO, but significantly increased following preischemic CD34⁺ treatment. There was decreased expression of bladder M₂ mRNA despite an increased level of M₂ immunoreactivity at 3 days and 7 days after MCAO. Expression of bladder M₂ immunoreactivity and mRNA nearly returned to sham group levels after preischemic CD34⁺ treatment. Conclusion Bladder dysfunction in a rat model caused by MCAO may be restored to normal micturition by treatment with human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34⁺ cells and may be related to the expressions of NGF, M₂, and M₃ in the bladder.