Impact of activity-based recovery training and desmopressin on spinal cord injury-induced polyuria in Wistar rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to polyuria, an excessive production of urine, which disrupts daily activities and increases the risk of infections. To manage this, individuals often limit their fluid intake, leading to other health issues. This study investigates the effectiveness of activity-based recovery training (ABRT) and desmopressin (DDAVP), a synthetic vasopressin analog, in reducing polyuria in rats with SCI. The results showed that ABRT reduced urine production, but not completely to pre-injury levels. DDAVP maintained the reduced urine output in the ABRT group, suggesting both interventions are effective alone but not additively.

• 1
  Seventy sessions of ABRT reduced urine overproduction in SCI rats, but not to pre-SCI baseline levels.
• 2
  DDAVP treatment maintained the reduced urine output achieved by ABRT, without further reducing it, and also reduced drink volume.
• 3
  The beneficial effects of ABRT on void volume were lost seven days post-training, indicating the need for continuous exercise to maintain the benefits.