MP30-01 IDENTIFYING A SENSITIVE AND SPECIFIC PANEL OF DNA METHYLATION MARKERS IN MODELS OF CYSTITIS

stimulation of the pudendal nerve upregulates neurotrophin expression and improves recovery in a rat model of SUI. METHODS: Rats received 1 hour of electrical stimulation (20 Hz, 0.3 mA, 0.1 ms pulse) or sham stimulation of the pudendal nerve immediately after simulated birth injury, consisting of vaginal distension and pudendal nerve crush. A separate cohort of rats received sham injury and no treatment. All rats underwent stimulation or sham stimulation for 1 hour twice per week for 2 weeks. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and bII-tubulin (neuronal cytoskeletal protein and marker of neuroregenerative response) expression in Onuf’s nucleus was measured with RT-PCR. Leak point pressure (LPP) and external urethral sphincter electromyography (EUS EMG) was performed. Data was analyzed with a two-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls posthoc pairwise comparisons with pu003c0.05 statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared to sham stimulation, electrical stimulation significantly increased both BDNF and bII-tubulin expression in Onuf’s nucleus, demonstrating an increased neuroregenerative response. Both LPP and baseline EUS EMG amplitude decreased significantly after injury compared to sham injury and increased significantly with stimulation compared to sham stimulation. During voiding, EUS EMG burst frequency, burst duration, and interburst interval were significantly decreased by injury compared to sham and after injury were significantly increased with electrical stimulation compared to sham. CONCLUSIONS: Pudendal nerve electrical stimulation appears to promote SUI recovery via strengthening the neuroregenerative response by upregulating BDNF expression in pudendal nerve cell bodies. Electrical stimulation may shorten postpartum SUI duration and could potentially serve as a preventative treatment for later SUI development.