In this article, we review the relationship between cold stress and urinary frequency based mainly on our previous studies. A recent study showed that cold stress induces bladder overactivity in conscious rats, and these effects

were mediated, at least in part, by α1A-adrenergic receptor (AR) and α1D-AR. Another study suggested that the resiniferatoxin-sensitive nerves present in the urinary bladder may also be involved in the regulation of detrusor activity associated with cold stress. The mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family selleck inhibitor consists of 28 channels subdivided into five different classes: TRPV (vanilloid), TRPC (canonical), TRPM (melastatin), TRPML (mucolipin), and TRPA (ankyrin). TRP channels function as multifunctional sensors at the cellular level. They can be activated by physical (voltage, heat, cold, mechanical stress) or chemical stimuli and binding

of specific ligands. In 2002, it was reported that a nonselective cation channel, TRPM8, could be activated by both menthol and thermal stimuli (8–28 °C). We demonstrated the presence of TRPM8 in the skin from the legs and back of rats by immunofluorescence staining and that stimulation of this receptor by menthol causes urinary frequency. There have been other reports demonstrating roles of TRPM8 not related to its thermosensory function. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of cold stress-induced urinary frequency, and the roles of TRPM8 in the micturition Forskolin datasheet control system. Changes in environmental temperatures induce various physiological responses. For example, cold stress elicits urinary sensations and frequent urination along with increased heart rate and blood pressure.1–3 Seasonal or continuous cold environmental stress can aggravate existing lower urinary tract dysfunctions, such as urinary urgency, frequent

urination, or cystitis.4–6 The mechanisms of urinary bladder sensation have been investigated by instillation of ice-cold water into the bladders of patients7–12 or experimental animals13 maintained at normal environmental temperatures. Ergoloid To our knowledge, there have been few studies regarding the onset of urinary sensations and frequent urination induced by sudden whole-body cooling. In this article, we review the relationship between cold stress and urinary frequency based mainly on our previous studies. To exclude the effects of anesthesia and restraint stress, we usually perform rat cystometry under free-moving, conscious conditions.14 When we think about the idea of cold stress, we usually think about the idea of ice-water test. First, we instilled ice-cold water into the rat bladder based on previous human or experimental animal data.7–13 To avoid removal of the cystometric investigation catheter by the rats, we usually pull the cystometry catheter out from the animal’s head. In this system, even if we infused ice-water into the bladder, the water would be warmed (38.9 °C) during the process (Fig. 1, unpublished data).