Longevity-Associated Core Gut Microbiota Mining and Effect of Mediated Probiotic Combinations on Aging Mice: Case Study of a Long-Lived Population in Guangxi, China.

With an ageing population, healthy longevity is becoming an important scientific concern. The longevity phenomenon is closely related to the intestinal microflora and is highly complicated; it is challenging to identify and define the core gut microbiota associated with longevity. Therefore, in this study, 16S rRNA sequencing data were obtained from a total of 135 faecal samples collected as part of the latest sampling and pre-collection initiative in the Guangxi longevity area, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to find a mediumpurple3 network module significantly associated with the Guangxi longevity phenomenon. Five core genera, namely, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Blautia, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Lactobacillus, were identified via network analysis and random forest (RF) in this module. Two potential probiotic strains, Lactobacillus fermentum and Bacteroides fragilis, were further isolated and screened from the above five core genera, and then combined and used as an intervention in naturally ageing mice. The results show a change in the key longevity gut microbiota in mice toward a healthy longevity state after the intervention. In addition, the results show that the probiotic combination effectively ameliorated anxiety and necrosis of hippocampal neuronal cells in senescent mice, improving their antioxidant capacity and reducing their inflammation levels. In conclusion, this longer-term study provides a new approach to the search for longevity hub microbiota. These results may also provide an important theoretical reference for the healthification of the intestinal microflora in the general population, and even the remodelling of the structure of the longevity-state intestinal microflora.

Cynanchum bungei Decne and its two related species for "Baishouwu": A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cynanchum bungei Decne. (CB) (Asclepiadaceae) and its two related species Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight. (CA) and Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. (CW) are well known Chinese herbal medicines known by the name Baishouwu. Among them, CB has long been used for nourishing the kidney and liver, strengthening the bones and muscles, and regulating stomachache. However, to date, no comprehensive review on Baishouwu has been published. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the three herbal components of Baishouwu with the ultimate objective of providing a guide for future scientific and therapeutic potential use of Baishouwu. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was undertaken on CB, CA and CW by analyzing the information from scientific databases (SciFinder, Pubmed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Baidu Scholar). Information was also gathered from local classic herbal literatures and conference papers on ethnopharmacology and the information provided in this review has been obtained from peer-reviewed papers. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of literature search indicate that ethnopharmacological use of CB was recorded in China, however, CA and CW have been used in China, Korea and Japan. To date, 151 chemical compounds have been isolated from these species, and the major chemical constituents have been revealed to be acetophenones, C21-steroids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These compounds and extracts have been proven to exhibit significant pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, antifungal, antiviral, anti-depressant, vasodilating and estrogenic activities. CONCLUSIONS: CB, CA and CW collectively known as Baishouwu are valuable medicinal herbs with multiple pharmacological activities. The traditional use for nourishing liver is closely associated with the hepatoprotective activity. The available literature performs that various of the activity of Baishouwu can be attributed to acetophenones and C21-steroids. It is high time that more efforts should be focused on the underlying mechanisms of their beneficial bioactivities and the structure activity relationship of the constituents, as well as their potential synergistic and antagonistic effects. The proper toxicology evaluation is crucial to guarantee the safety, efficacy, and eligibility for medical use. Further research on the comprehensive evaluation of medicinal quality and the understanding of multi-target network pharmacology of Baishouwu is in great request.

Inactivation of Stat3 and crosstalk of miRNA155-5p and FOXO3a contribute to the induction of IGFBP1 expression by beta-elemene in human lung cancer.

ß-Elemene, an active component of natural plants, has been shown to exhibit anticancer properties. However, the detailed mechanism underlying these effects has yet to be determined. In this study, we show that ß-elemene inhibits the growth of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, we found that ß-elemene decreased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and miRNA155-5p mRNA but induced the protein expression of human forkhead box class O (FOXO)3a; the latter two were abrogated in cells with overexpressed Stat3. Notably, miRNA155-5p mimics reduced FOXO3a luciferase reporter activity in the 3-UTR region and protein expression, whereas overexpressed FOXO3a countered the reduction of the miRNA155-5p levels by ß-elemene. Moreover, ß-elemene increased the mRNA and protein expression levels as well as promoter activity of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1); this finding was not observed in cells with a silenced FOXO3a gene and miRNA155-5p mimics. Finally, silencing of IGFBP1 blocked ß-elemene-inhibited cell growth. Similar findings were observed in vivo. In summary, our results indicate that ß-elemene increases IGFBP1 gene expression via inactivation of Stat3 followed by a reciprocal interaction between miRNA155-5p and FOXO3a. This effect leads to inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of ß-elemene on lung cancer cells.

Minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy improves stone-free rates for impacted proximal ureteral stones: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Urinary stones are common medical disorders and the treatment of impacted proximal ureteral stones (IPUS) is still a challenge for urologists. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MI-PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) in the treatment of IPUS via a meta-analysis. METHODS: We collected studies using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from 1978 to November 2016 and analyzed them using Stata 12.0 and RevMan 5.3. Odds ratios (ORs) and standard mean difference (SMD) were calculated for binary and continuous variables respectively, accompanied with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All study procedures followed the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Five prospective studies were included in our meta-analysis, with 242 MI-PCNL and 256 URL cases. MI-PCNL was associated with a longer postoperative hospital stay than URL (SMD, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.27 to 5.55). However, no significant difference was observed in operative time (SMD, -0.38; 95% CI, -3.15 to 2.38). In addition, MI-PCNL had higher initial (OR, 11.12; 95% CI, 5.56 to 22.24) and overall stone-free rates (OR, 8.70; 95% CI, 3.23 to 23.45) than URL, along with lower possibilities of surgical conversion (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.49) and postoperative shock wave lithotripsy (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.18). Regarding complications, no significant differences were observed between MI-PCNL and URL (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.93 to 2.10), except for hematuria (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.45 to 15.94). CONCLUSIONS: MI-PCNL is optimal and should be considered as the preferred treatment method for IPUS, as it has better efficacy and a safety profile similar to that of URL. However, further high quality studies with larger sample size are required in future.

Olive oil in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis after artificial menopause.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoporosis effect of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in vivo, and explore its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in Sprague Dawley rats and its anticancer properties in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 healthy female Sprague Dawley rats aged 6 months were divided into four groups: 1) sham-operated control (Sham group, n=30); 2) ovariectomized (OVX group, n=30); 3) ovariectomized rats supplemented with EVOO (OVX + Olive, n=30); 4) ovariectomized rats supplemented with estrogen (OVX + E2, n=30). EVOO and estrogen were administered by oral gavage at a dose of 1 mL/100 g weight on a daily basis for 12 consecutive weeks. Twelve weeks later blood samples were obtained to detect the levels of calcium, alkaline phosphatase, phosphorus, interleukin-6 (IL-6), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), and nitrate content. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometer measured bone mineral density (BMD) of ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats that had been fed olive oil for 3 months. Blood samples from patients, who regularly consumed olive oil over a 1 year period were also used to measure carbohydrate antigen 125, carcino-embryonic antigen, α-fetoprotein, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels. BMD of lumbar spine and left femur was also evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that EVOO significantly increased BMD and decreased phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, IL-6, MDA, and nitrate levels. However, it had no significant effect on the Ca(2+) level. In clinical follow-up, EVOO also improved patient BMD levels on L3, L4, and left femoral neck, and reduced carbohydrate antigen 125, α-fetoprotein, and carcino-embryonic antigen levels. But it had no significant effect on the carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level. CONCLUSION: EVOO illustrated significant anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties in vivo. However, further studies are required to determine the active component(s) responsible for these effects.

[Evaluation on the efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine booster immunization in 2789 children aged over 10 years].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficiency of booster immunization with different recombinant hepatitis B vaccines. METHODS: 2789 children aged over 10 years who had completed the basic immunization of hepatitis B vaccine under 1 year old were selected. All the sampled children were classified into four groups (A, B, C and D) and immunized with different hepatitis B vaccines produced by different companies respectively. Before booster immunization, their blood plasma specimens were detected for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) by chemiluminescence. In each group, the anti-HBs positive children were immunized with one dosage and anti-HBs negative children were immunized three dosages of the same vaccine. Their blood specimens were collected again after 1 month, and detected for anti-HBs. RESULTS: The anti-HBs positive rates of A, B, C and D group were 36.43%, 37.59%, 42.91% and 46.46% respectively before immunization while 89.20%, 91.52%, 90.96% and 85.45% respectively after immunization with one dosage, 99.12%, 99.47%, 98.87% and 98.85% respectively after immunization with three dosages. The differences of anti-HBs positive rates in the four respective groups showed statistical significances between any two rates of pre-immunization, post-immunization with one dosage and post-immunization with three dosages (all P < 0.05). The anti-HBs positive conversion rates of four groups were 83.01%, 86.41%, 84.16% and 72.82% respectively after immunization with one dosage. The anti-HBs positive conversion rate of four groups were 98.62%, 99.16%, 98.03% and 97.84% respectively after immunization with three dosages and the difference of positive conversion rates in each group showed statistical significances between booster immunization with one dosage and booster immunization with three dosages. The average GMTs in anti-HBs positive children in the four groups were 2853.21, 6254.23, 3581.40 and 3021.32 mIU/ml respectively after immunization with one dosage. The average GMTs of anti-HBs negative children in the four groups were 273.08, 648.52, 387.87 and 245.36 mIU/ml respectively after immunization with one dosage, and were 632.30, 2341.14, 563.97 and 394.08 mIU/ml respectively after immunization with three dosages. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that it would be suitable to anyone to use the four vaccines for anti-HBs positive children aged over 10 years with one dosage and for anti-HBs negative children aged over 10 years with three dosage booster immunization.

[Myopic and retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of myopic retinopathy and its risk factors. METHODS: The fundus of 1449 patients (2879 eyes) with myopia were retrospectively examined. The clinical relationship between myopic retinopathy and diopter, age, and sex was analyzed. RESULTS: Myopic retinopathy was detected in 413 eyes (14.35%). Posterior pole retinal lesions were detected in 22 eyes (0.76%). Peripheral retinal lesions were found in 396 eyes (13.75%). According to their diopters, the myopic patients were divided into four groups: low, medium, high and super high myopia The incidence of peripheral retinal lesions was 4.18%, 8.72%, 19.18%, and 37.44% in these four groups, which significantly different (chi2 = 178.594, P<0.001). By age these patients were divided into three groups: I group, age <25; II group, age 25-34; III group, age >34. The incidences of peripheral retinal lesions in these three groups were 8.11%, 15.34%, and 24.59%, which were significantly different (chi2 = 76.090, P<0.001). The incidence of retinal lesion in male and female was 9.32% and 16.07%, respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 24.886, P<0.001). Posteriorpole retinal lesions were only detected in the highly or super highly myopic patients, all of them were more than 25 years. The incidence of posteriorpole retinal lesions in the highly and super highly myopia group was 0.86% and 6.67% respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 31.898, P<0.001). The incidence of posteriorpole retinal lesions in group II and group III was 0.55% and 3.55% respectively, which was significantly different (chi2 = 22.523, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of retinal lesions in myopic patients is higher than that of emmetropia. The incidence of peripheral retinal lesions increases in patients with deeper diopters. Posterior pole retinal lesions usually occur in the myopic patients whose age are more than 25 years and diopter more than - 6.00 D. Careful examination of fundus is essential for early detection and timely treatment.

[Study on the growth of orbital volume in individuals at different ages by computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To study the growth aspects of orbital volume and to establish the normal value of orbital volume by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: One hundred and twenty three individuals without eye diseases (64 males, 59 females) were divided into 5 groups according to the age. Orbital volume and length of horizontal transverse axis and anterior-posterior axis of the eye were measured at different levels in original or reconstructive CT images. The relationship between orbital volume and age, gender and eyeball volume was analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference between the left and right orbital volume in all age groups. Orbital volume grew rapidly before 20 years of old. Mean orbital volume in males aged 17 and females aged 13 was 23.54 and 21.75 ml, respectively, which reached 95% of the adult orbital volume. In normal adult, orbital volume in the male was larger than that of the female. The mean orbital volume of adult male and female was (25.04 +/- 2.37) ml and (22.89 +/- 2.67) ml, respectively. A strong linear correlation was presented between the age and orbital volume (P < 0.05). The difference of orbital volume between the male and female was statistically non-significant before 14 years old (P = 0.315). The growth of eyeball volume was consistent with that of the orbital volume, the ratio of eyeball/orbit volume was decreased with age from 0.40 to 0.26. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference between the right and left orbital volume. Orbital volume is correlated with age and gender. Orbital volume grows rapidly before 20 years of old and still grows slowly after 40 years old.

Evaluation of contrast-enhanced helical hydro-CT in staging gastric cancer.

AIM: To discuss the helical computed tomography (CT) characteristics of gastric cancer and evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced helical hydro-CT (HHCT) in staging gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 50 patients with gastric cancer were included in this study. The CT findings in them were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with pathologic findings at surgery. All patients were preoperatively imaged by plain and contrast-enhanced helical CT after orally ingesting 1,000-1,500 mL water. Peristalsis was minimized by intra-venous administration of spasmolytics. RESULTS: The foci of gastric cancer became more prominent in all the 50 patients and showed strong enhancement in contrast-enhanced HHCT. The tumor was located at the gastric cardia in 14 cases, at the gastric fundus in 3 cases, at the gastric body in 8 cases, at the gastric antrum in 4 cases, at the gastric fundus and the body in 8 cases, at the gastric body and antrum in 11 cases, and at three segments of the stomach in 2 cases. The CT features of gastric cancer were focal or diffuse mural thickening, soft tissue mass, cancerous ulcer, stenosis of stomach, infiltration to adjacent tissues, lymph node and distant metastases. Strong contrast enhancement of the gastric wall was closely related to gastric cancer. The accuracy rate of contrast-enhanced HHCT in staging gastric cancer was 86% (43/50). The detection rate of lymph node metastases by CT was 60% (12/20). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced HHCT is a reliable method to diagnose and stage gastric cancer.

Polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin sponge particle embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of and complications associated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin sponge particles embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm complicating chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. METHODS: A 42-year-old man with splenic artery pseudo-aneurysm formation secondary to chronic alcoholic pancreatitis was admitted. We used PVA and gelatin sponge particles embolization of splenic artery pseudoaneurysm by superselective embolization techniques. RESULTS: The splenic artery pseudoaneurysm was successfully controlled with splenic embolization. The patient was discharged in 9 d with complete recovery. CONCLUSION: This case confirms that superselective transcatheter embolization by PVA and gelatin sponge particles may represent an effective treatment for pseudoaneurysm caused by chronic alcoholic pancreatitis in the absence of other therapeutic alternatives.

Detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of multi-detector CT with digital subtraction angiography and Lipiodol CT.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of biphasic multi-detector row helical computed tomography (MDCT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and Lipiodol computed tomography (CT) in detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with nodular HCC underwent biphasic MDCT examination: hepatic arterial phase (HAP) 25 s and portal venous phase (PVP) 70 s after injection of the contrast medium (1.5 mL/kg). They also underwent hepatic angiography and intra-arterial infusion of iodized oil. Lipiodol CT was performed 3-4 wk after infusion. MDCT images were compared with DSA and Lipiodol CT images for detection of hepatic nodules. RESULTS: The three imaging techniques had the same sensitivity in detecting nodules >20 mm in diameter. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity among HAP-MDCT, Lipiodol CT and DSA for nodules of 10-20 mm in diameter. For the nodules <10 mm in diameter, HAP-MDCT identified 47, Lipiodol CT detected 27 (chi2 = 11.3, P = 0.005<0.01, HAP-MDCT vs Lipiodol CT) and DSA detected 16 (chi2 = 9.09, P = 0.005<0.01 vs Lipiodol CT and chi2 = 29.03, P = 0.005<0.01vs HAP-MDCT). However, six nodules <10 mm in diameter were detected only by Lipiodol CT. CONCLUSION: MDCT and Lipiodol CT are two complementary modalities. At present, MDCT does not obviate the need for DSA and subsequent Lipiodol CT as a preoperative examination for HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma treated with interventional procedures: CT and MRI follow-up.

In the past decade, a variety of interventional procedures have been employed for local control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These include transcather arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and several tumour ablation techniques, such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radio-frequency ablation (RFA), or percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMC), laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT), etc. For a definite assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of interventional procedures, histological examination using percutaneous needle biopsy may be the most definite assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of interventional therapy, however, it is invasive and the specimen retrieved does not always represent the entire lesion owing to sampling errors. Therefore, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a crucial role in follow-up of HCC treated by interventional procedures, by which the local treatment efficacy, recurrent disease and some of therapy-induced complications are evaluated. Contrast enhanced axial imaging (CT or MR imaging) may be the most sensitive test for assessing the therapeutic efficacy. The goal of the review was to describe the value of CT and MRI in the evaluation of interventional treatments.

Successful management of a benign anastomotic colonic stricture with self-expanding metallic stents: a case report.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of and complications associated with metallic stent placement for treatment of anastomotic colonic strictures. METHODS: A 46-year-old man undergoing two procedures of surgery for perforation of descending colon due to a traffic accident presented with pain, abdominal distention, and inability to defecate. Single-contrast barium enema radiograph showed a severe stenosis in the region of surgical anastomosis and the patient was too weak to accept another laparotomy. Under fluoroscopic and endoscopic guidance, we placed two metallic stents in the stenosis site of the anastomosis of the patient with anastomotic colonic strictures. RESULTS: In this case of postsurgical stenosis, the first stent relieved the symptoms of obstruction, but stent migration happened on the next day so an additional stent was required to deal with the stricture and relieve the symptoms. CONCLUSION: This case confirms that metallic stenting may represent an effective treatment for anastomotic colonic strictures in the absence of other therapeutic alternatives.

Multidetector CT in evaluating blood supply of hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

AIM: To assess the value of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in choosing retreatment methods of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through evaluating the blood supply of low-density area of HCC after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Thirty-two patients with HCC after TACE treatment were examined by plain scanning and hepatic multidetector-row CT. The location of low-density area on plain scanning and the enhancement patterns on dynamic contrast-enhanced scanning were observed. At the same time, three-dimensional CT (3D CT) models of the volume rendering, curved multiplanar reformations, surface shaded display and maximum intensity projection reconstruction of the hepatic artery and portal vein were performed in 6 cases. RESULTS: In CT plain scanning data, low density areas of 32 cases of HCC after TACE treatment were divided into three types: peripheral, one-side-located and mixed types. In contrast-enhanced CT scans, the blood supply of low-density area was classified into four types: arterial blood supply (20 cases), portal blood supply (5 cases), arterial combined with portal blood supply (5 cases) and poor blood supply (2 cases). In 6 cases, the relationship between the low-density area and branches of hepatic artery as well as portal vein was shown by 3D CT. CONCLUSION: Hepatic MDCT is an effective method for evaluating the blood supply of low-density area and therapeutic effect of HCC after TACE treatment. Types of blood supply is helpful for the selection of retreatment.

[Studies on the interaction of metalic complex and DNA by the spectral methods].

The interaction of [Cu(A)2]2+ (A = phen, bpy, en) complex ion and ct-DNA was investigated by using absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra. Based on the measurement of A260 in the different pH mediums, the alkaline denaturation curves of DNA in the absence and in the presence of [Cu(phen)2]2+ complex ion were obtained. The result showed that the alkaline denaturation for [Cu(phen)2]2+ complex ion occured at a higher pH than that for DNA alone. The absorption of EB-DNA system in the presence of [Cu(phen)2]2+ showed that [Cu(phen)2]2+ could partly sustain the place of EB. The result of fluorescence spectra suggested that the [Cu(phen)2]2+ complex ion could make the fluorescence intensity of EB-DNA system to decreased sharply. The effect of [Fe(CN)6]4- on the emission of [Cu(phen)2]2+ and [Cu(phen)2](2+) -DNA system was studied. All the experimental results indicated that the intercalative binding mode was the major mode for the interaction of [Cu(phen)2]2+ complex ion and DNA, and the size of ligands can effect the binding of complexes to DNA.

[Age-dependent alternations in beta-adrenoceptor function in human detrusor and possible mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the age-dependent alternations in beta-adrenergic response and possible mechanism. METHODS: The response to beta-adrenergic agonists isoprenaline and BRL37344, forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) of samples from senile people in 10 cases were examined by cellular functional test. Radioligand binding assay was also performed using non-selective beta-adrenergic receptors ligand [(3)H]-dihydroalprenolol ([(3)H]-DHA), the specimens of young men in 10 cases as the control group. RESULTS: There was no age-dependent change in the contractile response to potassium chloride. The relaxing responses to isoprenaline, BRL37344 and forskolin decreased by 15.0%, 17.6% and 12.6% respectively (P < 0.01). The pD(2) values of the isoprenaline and BRL37344 also declined significantly. There was no difference in the responses to DBcAMP between the two groups. The maximum binding site decreased significantly with increasing age, but the equilibrium-dissociation constant did not change. CONCLUSIONS: There is an age-related decline in beta-adrenergic responsiveness, which might be one of the causative factors of the reduced bladder compliance of the elderly. The decrease of cAMP level caused by the reduced receptor density and adenyl cyclase activity might be the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes of beta-adrenergic responsiveness.