Role of pacemaker cells in the generation of slow wave activity in the prostate gland

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/334136

Funding Status
Closed

Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the .

Funded Activity Summary

The prostate gland commonly enlarges in ageing males resulting in a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia which is poorly understood. Because of the strategic position of the prostate, its enlargement physically compresses the segment of the urinary system passing through it causing inconvenient and distressing symptoms, such as difficulty and hesitancy in urination, which often require surgical or medical intervention. Indeed patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia are often treated with pharmacological agents that reduce the size of the prostate or relax the prostate and bladder, thus relieving some of the symptoms. However, the precise cellualr mechanisms by which many of these drugs mediate their effects have not been confirmed. Moreover, although previous studies of the prostate gland have clearly established many of the basic properties of the tissue, there is currently a lack of information regarding the prostate gland at a cellular level. We have recently identified a specialised group of 'interstitial cells' in the prostate gland, which resemble the well-described 'interstitial cells of Cajal' in the gut. In the gut, these cells perform a wide variety of functions including the initiation of contractile activity. Interstitial cells are also thought to play a role in diseases of the bowel. This project aims to investigate the role of the interstitial cells in the functioning of the prostate gland. In addition, the effects of age and hormones on the interstitial cells will be considered, which may lead to a better understanding of conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Finally, identifying nerve-released substances that may affect the activity of these cells may also help identify alternative targets for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2005

End Date: 01-01-2007

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $231,500.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Cell Physiology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

ageing | androgen stimulation | benign prostatic hyperplasia | electrophysiology | interstitial cells of Cajal | lower urinary tract symptoms | prostate gland | slow waves | smooth muscle | urianry obstruction

Related Links