From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-566006-490489
COLUMBUS, Ohio (UPI) -- A bladder disorder common to humans and cats
may originate in the nervous system, U.S. researchers say.
The study of chemicals found in blood samples, published in Analyst,
suggests tryptophan -- an essential amino acid -- is processed in
those with a painful bladder disorder called interstitial cystitis in
a way that may affect how brain signals are transmitted.
Senior author Tony Buffington of Ohio State University in Columbus and
colleagues collected samples from cats with feline interstitial
cystitis, healthy cats and cats with other diseases, as well as
samples from humans with the painful bladder syndrome, healthy humans
and humans with other urological illnesses.
Using infrared microspectroscopy to tell the difference between blood
samples on the basis of their molecular profiles, the researchers find
samples from humans and cats with interstitial cystitis demonstrated
nearly identical molecular peaks.
"What we know now is that this testing method is very sensitive and
specific for the disorder in both humans and domestic cats. So far it
hasn't missed one diagnosis," Buffington says in a statement.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis include recurring discomfort or pain
in the bladder and pelvis, and often an urgent and frequent need to
urinate, the researchers say. The diagnosis typically follows tests to
rule out other diseases.