Biomedical subjects

R W Fritz

Publications and source records attributed to R W Fritz.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1984

Decrease in rabbit bladder mucosal glycoprotein after oophorectomy.

Hormonal manipulation has been shown to result in less efficient bladder clearance of bacteria. We describe the use of a double antibody technique to semiquantitatively demonstrate the diminution of bladder glycoproteins from the transitional epithelium in oophorectomized rabbits. Rabbit bladder glycoprotein was isolated and used to immunize Swiss-Webster mice. Bladders of normal and oophorectomized rabbits were sequentially stained with mouse antirabbit sera and fluoresceinated goat antimouse antibody. A significant loss of bladder epithelial glycoprotein was evident in oophorectomized rabbits as compared to controls. This study, utilizing a semiquantitative immunologic staining technique, suggests an intact glycoprotein layer is important in the bladder defense mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Enhancement of the bladder defense mechanism by an exogenous agent.

The mucopolysaccharide layer produced by the transitional cells coating the bladder plays an important role in the defense mechanism of the lower urinary tract. Carbenoxolone, a drug derived from licorice, has been shown to be beneficial to patients with peptic ulcer disease by stimulating increased mucous production in the stomach. Since the bladder epithelium has an endodermal derivation, the question of whether carbenoxolone has an effect on the mucopolysaccharide layer in the bladder was put forth. Carbenoxolone was shown to provide a protective effect to laboratory-induced lower urinary tract infections in the rabbit model.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Effect of hormonal deprivation on the bladder defense mechanism.

The mucopolysaccharide (MPS) layer of the bladder has been implicated as a bacterial anti-adherence factor in previous experimentation. Production of MPS is known to be related to hormones in other systems of the body and probably to the urinary system. Due to the known rising incidence of urinary tract infection in most menopausal females, an experimental model using oophorectomized rabbits was designed. Oophorectomized and control rabbits were observed for their ability to clear their bladder of experimentally induced Escherichia coli 04 infections. There was a 2-fold increase in the mean number of days for clearance of bacteria among oophorectomized rabbits versus control rabbits. Twice as many rabbits cleared their infection within 1 week in the control population versus the oophorectomized population. To further examine the relationship of oophorectomy to urinary tract infection, a group of 1030 female canines in an animal veterinary practice was studied. It was found that the incidence of infection was higher in the spayed population than in the non-spayed group. The non-spayed group seem to have an age dependent history of urinary infection whereas ovariohysterectomy appeared to abolish this relationship to age.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1981

Heparin--examination of its antibacterial adsorption properties.

One of the primary antibacterial defense mechanisms of the bladder is the action of the luminal mucopolysaccharide layer against adsorption of inoculated bacteria. Previous studies have shown that local instillation of the mucopolysaccharide heparin can prevent bacterial adsorption on the bladder mucosa denuded of this "antiadherence factor." To determine whether this action was due to the mucopolysaccharide composition of heparin, or rather to its anticoagulant property, protamine sulfate (a basic protein with anticoagulant properties) was tested for antiadsorptive efficacy. Protamine offered no protection against bacterial adherence in the rabbit model. It appears that heparin's protective effect is unrelated to its action as an anticoagulant.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1981

Heparin - an examination of its antibacterial adsorption properties.

One of the primary antibacterial defense mechanisms of the bladder is the action of the luminal mucopolysaccharide layer against adsorption of inoculated bacteria. Previous studies have shown that local instillation of the mucopolysaccharide heparin can prevent bacterial adsorption on the bladder mucosa denuded of this "antiadherence factor". To determine whether this action was due to the mucopolysaccharide composition of heparin, or rather to its anticoagulant property, protamine sulfate (a basic protein with anticoagulant properties) was tested for antiadsorptive efficacy. Protamine offered no protection against bacterial adherence in the rabbit model. It appears that heparin's protective effect is unrelated to its action as an anticoagulant.

Animals↗