Protective factors of the urinary bladder mucous membrane – the key to new approaches of urinary tract infection therapy

The bladder is a unique organ that is exposed to various aggressive factors – from mechanical stretching to exposure to toxins, salts and microorganisms. To protect the epithelium of the bladder mucosa, a number of protective mechanisms have evolved in the course of evolution. The violation or absence of these mechanisms can lead to pathological conditions, including the development of urinary tract infection. The study and deep understanding of these mechanisms can contribute to the emergence and improvement of new promising methods of prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections. The presented article details the features of the structure of the urinary bladder mucous membrane and the main mechanisms and factors of its protection against uropathogens.

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