Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the instillation of lipid vehicles comprised of liposomes containing sphingomyelin or sphingomyelin metabolites to prevent, manage, ameliorate and/or treat disorders involving neuropathic pain and aberrant muscle contractions, such as what occurs in bladder hyperactivity disorders such as interstitial cystitis (IC) in animals or humans in need thereof. Also provided is a liposome-based delivery of drugs, e.g., antibiotics, pain treatments and anticancer agents, to the bladder, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system and other organs or body systems. In particular, liposome-based delivery of vanilloid compounds, such as resiniferatoxin, capsaicin, or tinyatoxin and toxins, such as botulinum toxin is provided for the treatment of bladder conditions, including pain, inflammation, incontinence and voiding dysftunction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the administration of lipid-based vehicles to treat various disorders, including bladder inflammation, infection, dysfunction, and cancer. In various aspects, the compositions and methods of the invention are useful for prolonged delivery of drugs, e.g., antibiotics, pain treatments, and anticancer agents, to the bladder, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system, and other organs or body systems. In particular, the present invention relates to liposome-based delivery of vanilloid compounds, such as resiniferatoxin, capsaicin, or tinyatoxin, and toxins, such as botulinum toxin, for the treatment of bladder conditions, including pain, inflammation, incontinence, and voiding dysfunction. Further related are methods of using these vehicles alone or in conjunction with antibodies, e.g., uroplakin antibodies, to improve duration of liposome attachment, and provide a long-term intravesical drug delivery platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for the treatment of bladder irritative symptoms accompanied by benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound having a slowly-inactivating A-type K+ channel opening activity or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a method for screening agents for the treatment of bladder irritative symptoms accompanied by benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising measuring a slowly-inactivating A-type K+ channel opening activity as an index.