ATP release during cystometry in women with detrusor overactivity and painful bladder syndrome: contribution to 'urgency'?

ATP is an important signalling molecule whose release from the bladder urothelium in response to stretch is thought to stimulate afferent nerves and thus convey information about bladder fullness (and the sensation of urgency). Our aim was to measure the release of ATP during urodynamic filling of bladders of women with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (DO), painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and stress incontinence (controls), in order to test the hypothesis that ATP release might play a role in bladder function and/or dysfunction.