Dextrose Prolotherapy's Impact on the Urinary Microbiome in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Background

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic condition affecting millions globally. Dextrose prolotherapy, a minimally invasive and safe treatment, has emerged as a potential way to promote tissue healing in these patients. This study investigates how dextrose prolotherapy impacts the urinary microbiome, aiming to uncover the underlying mechanisms involved in its effectiveness.

Methods

Midstream urine samples from healthy controls and IC/BPS patients were collected before and after administering intravesical 10% dextrose injections. Microbiome profiling was conducted using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze bacterial composition.

Results

Significant differences in urinary microbiome diversity were observed between healthy controls and IC/BPS patients. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota were more abundant in IC/BPS patients. Importantly, dextrose prolotherapy led to a decrease in harmful bacteria (Subgroup_22, Chryseolinea, and Ureaplasma) while enriching beneficial species such as Luteolibacter, Lactococcus, and L. lactis, correlating with improved clinical symptoms.

Conclusions

Dextrose prolotherapy (DP) not only reduces the presence of harmful bacteria but also fosters the growth of beneficial microbes in IC/BPS patients. These findings suggest that the modulation of the urinary microbiome may be a key factor in its therapeutic success.