Ayse Gurpinar
Academic and research departments
Section of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biochemical Sciences, School of Biosciences.About
My research project
Inflammatory mediators in the regulation of bladder urothelium function: the role of NADPH (Nox) enzymesReactive oxygen species (ROS) are derivatives of oxygen that are produced as part of natural metabolism. Although they are involved in various functions within the cell such as cellular signalling and homeostasis, excessive synthesis of ROS together with inefficient antioxidant mechanisms can trigger accumulation of ROS in other words, oxidative stress. Among other know sources of ROS, NADPH oxidase (Nox) family offers a specific pharmaceutical approach. This is due to synthesis of ROS in particular superoxide by Nox enzyme as primary product. Targeting this enzyme can stop synthesis of unnecessary ROS without interfering with the normal biochemical oxidation.
According to many aging theories, age-associated functional losses are mainly related with accumulation of ROS within the tissues. Bladder dysfunction is known to present a major health and social challenge to our aging society. Current statistical data and the aging theory propose the question; is oxidative stress a contributor of age-related pathologies? The recent understanding of urothelium-mucosal lining of the bladder, as part of sensory web has remarkably improved understanding of bladder function and pathogenesis. However, the role of ROS and Nox in bladder function, in particular, in urothelial function and bladder ageing, is yet unclear.
This is the first investigation into the role of ROS and Nox enzymes in bladder urothelium function. The hypothesis of the study that will be tested highlights the regulation of urothelial and bladder function by ROS and Nox and Nox-derived ROS and oxidative damage contribute to age-related bladder pathologies.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are derivatives of oxygen that are produced as part of natural metabolism. Although they are involved in various functions within the cell such as cellular signalling and homeostasis, excessive synthesis of ROS together with inefficient antioxidant mechanisms can trigger accumulation of ROS in other words, oxidative stress. Among other know sources of ROS, NADPH oxidase (Nox) family offers a specific pharmaceutical approach. This is due to synthesis of ROS in particular superoxide by Nox enzyme as primary product. Targeting this enzyme can stop synthesis of unnecessary ROS without interfering with the normal biochemical oxidation.
According to many aging theories, age-associated functional losses are mainly related with accumulation of ROS within the tissues. Bladder dysfunction is known to present a major health and social challenge to our aging society. Current statistical data and the aging theory propose the question; is oxidative stress a contributor of age-related pathologies? The recent understanding of urothelium-mucosal lining of the bladder, as part of sensory web has remarkably improved understanding of bladder function and pathogenesis. However, the role of ROS and Nox in bladder function, in particular, in urothelial function and bladder ageing, is yet unclear.
This is the first investigation into the role of ROS and Nox enzymes in bladder urothelium function. The hypothesis of the study that will be tested highlights the regulation of urothelial and bladder function by ROS and Nox and Nox-derived ROS and oxidative damage contribute to age-related bladder pathologies.