ORLANDO – Two potential biomarkers for interstitial cystitis have been identified, according to Jayoung Kim, Ph.D.
The metabolites tyramine and 2-oxoglutarate appeared to discriminate 45 interstitial cystitis patients from 19 age- and gender-matched controls. The findings set the stage for prospective clinical trials of these potential biomarkers, Dr. Kim of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, reported at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.
Dr. Kim and her colleagues performed a nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of urine samples and identified 140 peaks that differed significantly between the two groups. Fifteen NMR peaks were identified as having the strongest signature for interstitial cystitis, she said.
Three of the peaks were annotated as the pain-related neuromodulator tyramine and two were 2-oxoglutarate. The findings suggest that levels of these two metabolites might be significantly upregulated in urine specimens from patients who have interstitial cystitis.
Patients with interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome report variable symptoms, such as pelvic or perineal pain, discomfort, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency. A poor understanding of the mechanism of interstitial cystitis and the lack of convenient biomarkers have posed challenges to improving diagnosis and treatment. The findings elucidate clinically relevant disease indicators that could be important in the development of new treatments, Dr. Kim said.
This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, an ICA Pilot grant, the Fishbein Family IC Research Foundation/Interstitial Cystitis Association, the New York Academy of Medicine, and Children’s Hospital Boston Faculty Development.