Adiponectin in the bladder

Published in JCI Insight: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are strongly associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are missing. We hypothesize that dysregulation of adipokine signaling could be the link for this association. Here we demonstrate that mice null for adiponectin exhibited increased voiding frequency, small voids, and reduced bladder smooth muscle contractility, with corresponding metabolic and purinergic pathway changes in the bladder wall. Therefore, dysregulation of adipokines, such as adiponectin signaling might be an important mechanism leading to LUTS associated with obesity/metabolic syndrome. The understanding of this link is important for further mechanistic insight and potential clinical application.