Subcutaneous Heparin in the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis

Abstract

Due to elusive etiology and pathogenesis the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC) has hitherto been empirical. Although the therapeutic modalities have been numerous, ranging from what is truly homeopathic to major surgery, the treatment of this distressing chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder remains difficult and laborious. New knowledge, however, concerning the inflammatory process of the bladder wall has offered more rational avenues of treatment. Recent histopathological studies have shown increased mast cell density, degranulation and infiltration of eosinophils in the bladder wall in patients with IC (Larsen et al. 1982; Fall et al. 1985; Aldenborg et al. 1986; Lose et al. 1987; Lynes et al. 1987). Furthermore, chemical mediators, or their metabolites, originating from mast cells and eosinophils have been found in the bladder wall and in urine from IC patients (Kastrup et al. 1983; Holm-Bentzen et al. 1987; Lose et al. 1987). These findings parallel observations performed in other chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease (Binder 1979; Dvorak 1979) and ulcerative proctocolitis (Binder 1979; Heatley et al. 1979).