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Role of Purinergic Signaling in Voiding Dysfunction

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Abstract

Purinergic signaling is a term that relates to adenosine triphosphate binding to its receptor (purinergic receptors such as P2X and P2Y subtypes). This pathway has been implicated in bladder functional disorders related to interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury, lower urinary tract symptoms, diabetes, and aging. Purinergic signaling occurs at multiple sites, including the central nervous system, peripheral motor and sensory nerves, detrusor smooth muscle, and bladder urothelium. Future pharmacologic agents to treat bladder functional disorders may be able to target purinergic signaling at one or more of these sites.

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Acknowledgment

Drs. Sun and Chai received grant support from National Institutes of Health R01-DK075728 in authoring this paper.

Disclosure

Dr. Chai has served as a consultant for Pfizer and has received grant support from Allergan and Pfizer. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Yan Sun

  2. Division of Urology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 29 South Greene Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Toby C. Chai

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  1. Yan Sun
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  2. Toby C. Chai
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Correspondence to Toby C. Chai.

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Sun, Y., Chai, T.C. Role of Purinergic Signaling in Voiding Dysfunction. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 5, 219–224 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11884-010-0063-6

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