Korean J Urol.  2004 Dec;45(12):1235-1240.

The Effect of Expressions of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Diaphorase in the Anterior Vaginal Wall on Female Urinary Incontinence and Sexual Function

• Bang SI
• Kim TN
• Lee HJ
• Lee JZ

Abstract

PURPOSE: We performed immunohistochemical analysis of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase in the anterior vaginal wall, and we investigated their relations to the females sexual life and their stress urinary incontinence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From December 2002 to April 2003, 55 urinary incontinent women, who were treated with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT), participated in this study. Their average age was 52.3 years old. We evaluated their sexual function with the Korean version of female sexual function index (FSFI). Anterior vaginal wall tissues 1x1cm in size were obtained during the TVT operation, and they were analyzed by immunohistochemical technique for VIP and NADPH diaphorase. We counted the number of nerve fibers containing VIP or NADPH diaphorase in the microscopic field of view. We verified the results with a Student's t-test and spearman test to identify the relations immunohistochemical results to the females sexual function and urinary incontinence.
RESULTS
Expression of VIP was significantly low in grade III incontinence, but there was not a significant difference for the other parameters of incontinence. Expression of NADPH diaphorase had no significant relation with any factor of incontinence. For the relation between expression of VIP and NADPH diaphorase and the FSFI score, the domain of arousal shows a significant difference with the expression of VIP and NADPH diaphorase, according to FSFI score.
CONCLUSIONS
From the above results, we suggest that VIP and NADPH diaphorase may affect the structure and functions of the female pelvic floor and these neurotransmitters act on the arousal phase of female sexual function.

Keyword

Sexuality; Function; Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide; Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

MeSH Terms

Arousal
Female*
Humans
NAD*
NADP*
NADPH Dehydrogenase
Nerve Fibers
Neurotransmitter Agents
Niacinamide*
Pelvic Floor
Sexuality
Suburethral Slings
Urinary Incontinence*
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide*
NAD
NADP
NADPH Dehydrogenase
Neurotransmitter Agents
Niacinamide
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide