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MP62-03 VOLUNTARY EXERCISE IMPROVES VOIDING FUNCTION AND BLADDER HYPERALGESIA IN AN ANIMAL MODEL OF STRESS-INDUCED VISCERAL HYPERSENSITIVITY

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The underlying mechanism of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is not well understood and evaluation of current therapeutic interventions have not identified any generally effective treatments. Physical activity has shown beneficial effects in individuals suffering from chronic pain. Anxiety-prone rats exposed to water avoidance stress (WAS) develop urinary frequency and bladder hyperalgesia with high face and construct validity for the study of IC/BPS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of chronic voluntary exercise on urinary frequency, voiding function and hyperalgesia in animals exposed to WAS. METHODS: Twenty-six female Wistar-Kyoto rats were exposed to WAS and randomized to either weekly voluntary exercise for 3 weeks or sedentary groups. Voiding parameters, tactile allodynia and referred bladder hyperalgesia were assessed at baseline, post-WAS, and weekly for 3 weeks. Prior to euthanasia, the animals underwent cystometrogram (CMG), external urinary sphincter electromyography, and assessment of visceromotor response (VMR) to isotonic bladder distension (IBD). RESULTS: WAS caused adverse changes in voiding parameters and von Frey sensitivity testing in animals exposed to WAS. Compared to sedentary animals, animals in the voluntary exercise group had improved voiding parameters on metabolic cage and CMG and improved bladder hypersensitivity as determined by VMR response to IBD. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary exercise in an animal model of chronic stress leads to improvement in voiding function and visceral bladder hyperalgesia. Source of Funding: Funding for the MAPP Research Network was obtained under a cooperative agreement from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DK82370, DK82342, DK82315, DK82344, DK82325, DK82345, DK82333, and DK82316.)