McGill University
Research Spotlight
Publication Highlight
Covarrubias C, Cammisotto PG, Shamout S, Campeau L. Decrease in the ratio proBDNF/BDNF in the urine of aging female patients with OAB. Metabolites 2023 Jun 3;13(6):723. PMID: 37367881. DOI: 10.3390/metabo13060723
An indisputable link exists between neurotrophins and growth factors (i.e., nerve growth factor/NGF, its precursor, proNGF), and overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). Thus, the team of Dr Lysanne Campeau, Associate Professor of Surgery at McGill University, first aimed to develop a non-invasive tool for diagnosing OAB syndrome in the urine of aging women. MicroRNAs related to NGF and proNGF metabolism (miR-491-5p and miR-592) that negatively control the translation of the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, the primary enzyme degrading NGF) were detected in void urine. Levels of miR-491-5p, the main miRNA that downregulates MMP-9 synthesis, were significantly decreased in urine from OAB patients. Next, concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor (proBDNF) were measured in the urine of a cohort of aging female patients with OAB. The ratio of proBDNF/BDNF was significantly decreased in the OAB group, while the level of MMP-9, the enzyme that cleaves proBDNF into BDNF, was increased in OAB compared to controls. These results suggest that neurotrophins are regulated at the levels of proteolytic enzymes converting pro-form to mature form rather than the translational levels; the ratio proBDNF/BDNF could be useful in the phenotyping of OAB in an aging population, and the difference could originate from enhanced MMP-9 enzymatic activity. Their studies confirm the diagnostic and phenotyping value of the urinary ratio proBDNF over mature BDNF.
2022-2023 Publication List
Kakkar A, Reuveni-Salzman A, Bentaleb J, Belzile E, Merovitz L, Larouche M. Adverse events associated with pessary use over one year among women attending a pessary care clinic. Int Urogynecol J. 2023. Aug;34(8):1765-1770. PMID: 36715742. IF 1.932 doi: 10.1007/s00192-023-05462-z.
Raina J, Bastrash M-P, Suarthana E, Larouche M. Perioperative complication rates of colpocleisis performed with or without hysterectomy a large population-based study. Int Urogynecol J. 2023. May;34(5):1111-1118. PMID: 36705729. (IF 1.932). doi: 10.1007/s00192-023-05457-w
Busque AA, Belzile E, Rodrigues K, Larouche M. Major perioperative complications of benign gynecologic procedures at a university-affiliated hospital. McGill Journal of Medicine 2022, 21(6):1-12.
Nguyen LN, Randhawa H, Nadeau G, Cox A, Hickling D, Campeau L, Li J, Welk B, Carlson K. Canadian Urological Association best practice report: diagnosis and management of nocturia. Canadian Urological Association Journal. 2022 Jul;16(7): E336-349. PMID: 35819914. DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.7970
Cammisotto PG, Mossa AH, Shamout S, Campeau L. Urinary levels of miR-491-5p and miR-592 as potential diagnostic biomarkers in female aging patients with OAB: a pilot study. Metabolites 2022 Aug 31;12(9):820. PMID: 36144224. DOI: 10.3390/metabo12090820
Covarrubias C, Cammisotto PG, Shamout S, Campeau L. Decrease in the ratio proBDNF/BDNF in the urine of aging female patients with OAB. Metabolites 2023 Jun 3;13(6):723. PMID: 37367881.
Bouchard, B., Campeau, L. Quality, Value, and Efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome. Curr Bladder Dysfunct Rep 18, 51–58 (2023).