Mitochondrial viability in neurogenic bladder urothelium after sigmoidocolocystoplasty. Implications for persistent vesicoureteral reflux.

Purpose: We investigated whether inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI), fibrosis, and mitochondrial viability of the neurogenic bladder urothelium are involved in the mechanism of persistent vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) after sigmoidocolocystoplasty (SCP).

Methods: Bladder biopsies obtained 1994-2023 from 62 neurogenic bladder patients were examined by hematoxylin and eosin for ICI, Masson's trichrome for fibrosis, and immunofluorescence for urothelial growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15; a mitochondrial stress-responsive cytokine) (positive/negative) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60; a mitochondrial matrix marker) (strong ≥ 50%/weak≤ 50%) expression. GDF15 + /weak HSP60 indicated compromised mitochondrial viability. Cystometry measured neobladder compliance/capacity.

Results: Mean ages (years) at SCP and bladder biopsies were 9.4 ± 4.6 and 14.2 ± 7.1, respectively. VUR was present in 38/62 patients (51 ureters) at SCP and resolved with SCP alone in 4/38 patients, with SCP and ureteroneocystostomy in 17/38, and persisted in 17/38. Fibrosis was significantly denser in GDF15 + (n = 24)/weak HSP60 (n = 31) compared with GDF15- (n = 38)/strong HSP60 (n = 31) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Differences in ICI were significant for GDF15 + vs. GDF15- (p < 0.05) but not for HSP60. Patients with VUR after SCP had higher incidence of GDF15 + /weak HSP60 compared with cases without VUR (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Viability of mitochondria appears to be compromised with possible etiologic implications for VUR persisting after SCP.