Gosha-jinki-gan reduces transmitter proteins and sensory receptors associated with C fiber activation induced by acetic acid in rat urinary bladder

Aim We determined if Gosha‐jinki‐gan, a traditional Chinese herbal mixture, reduced the presence of the tachykinins neurokinin A, neurokinin B, and substance P, as well as the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and P2X3 purine receptors that are functionally associated with C fibers in the urinary bladder. Methods Thirty‐six female rats were fed with either a standard diet or one supplemented with 1.08% Gosha‐jinki‐gan. After 4 weeks, the urinary bladders were instilled with either saline or 0.1% acetic acid. After 30 min, the bladders were removed and expression of the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors was determined by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression. Results In rats fed with the standard diet, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors expressed nearby or within urothelium of the acetic acid‐treated rats increased compared with the saline‐instilled rats. In rats pretreated with Gosha‐jinki‐gan, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors in the acetic acid‐treated rats also increased compared with the saline‐instilled rats. However, with the instillation of acetic acid, the tachykinins and the TRPV1 and P2X3 receptors of Gosha‐jinki‐gan pretreated rats decreased compared with standard diet fed rats. The mRNA expression levels of neurokinin A, substance P, and the TRPV1 receptor in acetic acid‐treated Gosha‐jinki‐gan pretreated rats were lower than that in acetic acid‐treated standard diet fed rats. Gosha‐jinki‐gan did not destroy nerve fibers within the bladders. Conclusions Gosha‐jinki‐gan partially reduced the tachykinins and TRPV1 and P2X3 purine receptors without destroying the nerve fibers. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:832–837, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.