Urinary epitectin (MUC-1 glycoprotein) in the menstrual cycle and interstitial cystitis

Purpose: We compared interstitial cystitis and control urine specimens for epitectin (MUC-1 glycoprotein), an epithelial mucin. Materials and Methods: Urinary epitectin was measured in 28 patients with interstitial cystitis and 26 healthy controls. Ten controls provided multiple urine samples to determine whether urinary epitectin changes with the menstrual cycle. Results: Epitectin levels were stable throughout the menstrual cycle. Interstitial cystitis cases had decreased urinary epitectin-to-creatinine ratios (mean 3.89 versus 6.38 μg./mg. creatinine for controls, p = 0.0035) and epitectin concentrations (mean 1.96 versus 4.30 μg./ml., respectively, p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Decreased mean urinary epitectin levels may reflect a cause (epithelial mucin deficiency) or a consequence of interstitial cystitis.