WHAT ARE MUCIN FILAMENTS? - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2024

The filaments mucin are very thin threads of a protein present in the salivary secretions and mucous. The appearance of mucin is like a gelatinous mucus that acts as a lubricant and protector in the reproductive, digestive, urinary and excretory systems.

The epithelial glands that, among other functions and together with keratin, protect the body through the skin, are also responsible for producing micro proteins, among which is mucin.

The appearance of mucin filaments in the urine is not always a sign of disease or serious disorders in the body. Generally it is a natural contamination that occurs when passing through areas of the body with high production of mucosa.

However, in a much smaller proportion, it expresses alterations that must be treated by the doctor. In any case, in the face of the appearance of mucin filaments, it is advisable to repeat the urine test with a new, uncontaminated sample to ensure a correct diagnosis.

Mucin filaments in urine

The presence of mucin filaments in the urine can be little, moderate or abundant. In all cases, it is important to check for urine contamination at the time of sampling or if the mucus is coming from one of the body's systems.

Sometimes, when the presence of mucin is moderate, in the case of men, it can be mucus secreted by the prostate or the urethral glands.

An abundant presence of mucin filaments in the urine could indicate the presence of a major alteration, especially when it is accompanied by leukocytes and nitrites, or blood.

What do mucin filaments indicate?

Although mucin strands in urine can only mean contamination when taking the sample, they can also be a sign of some complications.

Some patients may experience symptoms such as pain and discomfort when urinating, abdominal pain, discomfort during intercourse, or fever; it can be added that in the laboratory the urine does not detect any odor.

Causes of the appearance of mucus in the urine

The appearance of mucin filaments in the urine is frequently normal, especially in women.

Urine is produced in the kidneys and its function is to expel some toxins from the body through the urinary tract.

However, as it passes through the urinary system of men and women, it can become contaminated with mucin, which in the case of women is produced mainly during the ovulation period and in the case of men it can be released from the urethra or the walls of the bladder.

One cause of the presence of mucin filaments in the urine can be the presence of a urinary infection; in this case the result of the urine test will show the presence of leukocytes and nitrites.

A urinary infection is caused by bacteria that invade the genital area. Initially it occurs in the walls of the bladder and extends to the kidneys, during all its expansion a large amount of mucin is produced.

This infection is very common in pregnant women in whom mucin filaments are often evidenced.

Associated diseases

Another important cause of mucin production is irritable bowel syndrome, the inflammation of the colon walls produces a large amount of mucus that can be expelled through the urine.

Ulcerative colitis may be another cause of evidence of mucin filaments in the urine; It consists of the production of ulcers inside the intestine that become inflamed producing a large amount of mucin, the fluids of the excretory system can easily contaminate the urine when performing its function.

Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea inflame the inner walls of the reproductive system and the mucus produced by this effect reaches the urine through the urinary tract.

The presence of a urinary tract obstruction, usually due to kidney stones, causes inflammation of the urinary system and thus a large amount of mucin that leaves the body through the urine.

Although in a very low proportion, the presence of mucin filaments in the urine can be a sign of bladder cancer if it is accompanied, among other signs, by blood samples, pelvic pain and pain when urinating.

How do you detect the presence of mucin filaments in the urine?

Once the urine sample, which must be taken in the morning and on an empty stomach, reaches the laboratory, it is passed through the centrifuge to obtain urinary sediment, when it is observed under the microscope, it is possible to identify the mucin filaments.

Mucin in the urine can appear in the form of filaments or corpuscles. The filaments can appear in the form of threads, but also grouped in a kind of fabric that sometimes has a hard and white appearance.

It is also possible to find them in the form of a corpuscle, a kind of mucous-looking structure.

How are mucin filaments removed?

To reduce the presence of mucin filaments in the urine, the cause that produces them must be treated considering the associated symptoms. When the presence of mucin filaments comes from a urinary infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

If the cause is an alteration of the digestive system such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis, it is generally treated with antispasmodics, antidiarrheals and probiotics, In all cases, doctors recommend increasing water consumption to 12 glasses per day and improving body hygiene.

It is also recommended to drink enough cranberry juice, yogurt with honey and avoid some dairy products that promote inflammation of the mucous membranes.

References

1. Johansson, ME, Phillipson, M., Petersson, J., Velcich, A., Holm, L., & Hansson, GC (2008). The inner of the two Muc2 mucin-dependent mucus layers in colon is devoid of bacteria. Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 105 (39).
2. Gendler, SJ, & Spicer, AP (1995). Epithelial mucin genes. Annual review of physiology, 57 (1), 607-634.