Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the hyper-reflexic neuropathic bladder.

The distribution of nerves containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the hyper-reflexic neuropathic bladder was investigated using immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Biopsy specimens were taken from the bladders of 21 patients with urodynamically proven detrusor hyper-reflexia and from 20 control patients with no urodynamic abnormality. The results showed a reduction in the number of VIP immunoreactive nerves and a reduction in VIP concentration in the hyper-reflexic bladder when compared with control samples.