Novel alterations in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the female rabbit bladder subjected to hormonal manipulations

Abstract

Objectives Previous studies have demonstrated that ovariectomy induces reduced blood flow and hypoxia, resulting in free radical damage of the mucosal and smooth muscle compartments of the rabbit urinary bladder, whereas estradiol administration results in angiogenesis and recovery from hypoxia. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and estradiol replacement on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of the bladder.