[Medical expulsive therapy facilitated by alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist]

In 2002, speedy elimination of ureterolithiasis in the lower part of ureter was first reported with the alpha 1 blocker. Thereafter, there are a lot of reports including meta-analysis about tamsulosin. In 2011 EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis, it is the most important to establish effective MET (medical expulsive therapy) to facilitate spontaneous stone passage. Alpha 1 blockers are the preferred agents for MET. As a basic evidence for MET, we reported that alpha 1a and 1d AR subtype mRNA was highly expressed in the human ureter and that alpha 1A AR is the main participant in the human ureteral contraction. It is published newly in Japanese Guidelines on Urolithiasis revised edition to schedule to be published soon.