Phasic contractions of the pig bladder: Functional heterogeneity between bladder regions and the role of the mucosa

OAB, a LUT disorder defined by the ICS as urinary urgency with or without incontinence, is characterised by increased spontaneous or phasic bladder contractions (PCs) which are thought to originate from the mucosa, although the exact mechanism involved is still unclear. Immunohistological studies by Gillespie et al (2004a,b;2005) have shown possible heterogeneity of the urotheliumand suburothelial myofibroblasts between the trigone,lateral wall and dome of the bladder. The aim of the present study was to determine any functional heterogeneity in PCsin these bladder regions and the role of the mucosa.