Hydropenia may accelerates the progression of orthotopic bladder cancer induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea by increasing the expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4

• Published in: Translational andrology and urology 2021-06, Vol.10 (6), p.2447-2453
• Main Authors: Pan, Jun-Wei, Zhang, Xiang, Jin, Xing-Wei, Wang, Xian-Jin, Tu, Wei-Chao, Huang, Bao-Xing, Xu, Da, Shao, Yuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original
• ISSN: 2223-4683; 2223-4691; 2223-4691
• DOI: 10.21037/tau-21-273

BACKGROUNDIncreasing evidence has demonstrated aquaporins (AQPs) to be critical players in carcinogenesis. Here, we aimed to explore the role of hydropenia in the progression of bladder cancer (BCa), as well as to assess the expression of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 in bladder tissues from hydropenic and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-treated rats. METHODSAn orthotopic BCa model was induced by administering Sprague Dawley rats with MNU. A hydropenic rat model was established by administrating rats with 2/3 of the amount of water given to the control group. At week 8, the rats were sacrificed and their bladder tissues were collected. Then, pathological alterations in the rat bladders were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The RNA and protein expression levels of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP4 were determined by using qRT-PCR and western blot assays. RESULTSAll of the rats (100%) administrated with MNU developed tumors, of which 5 were large (diameter, 0.5-1.0 cm), 10 were medium (diameter, 0.2-0.5 cm), and 5 were small (diameter,