PACAP enhances mouse urinary bladder contractility and is upregulated in micturition reflex pathways after cystitis.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) elicits a transient contraction, sustained increase in the amplitude of spontaneous phasic contractions, and significantly increases the amplitude of nerve-mediated contractions in mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) strips. PACAP immunoreactivity (IR) is increased in micturition reflex pathways following cystitis. PACAP may contribute to altered sensation and bladder overactivity in the chronic bladder inflammatory syndrome, interstitial cystitis.