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Updated: May 19, 2026

Cystometric and External Urethral Sphincter Measurements in Awake Rats with Implanted Catheter and Electrodes Allowing for Repeated Measurements
Published on: January 30, 2018
Effects of propiverine hydrochloride, an anticholinergic agent, on urethral continence mechanisms and plasma
Takeya Kitta1, Vikas Tyagi, Masato Nanri
1Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Suite 700, Kaufmann Medical Bldg., 3471 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Anticholinergics are used to treat overactive bladder. Anticholinergic agents such as propiverine hydrochloride reportedly increase plasma catecholamine levels in rats. It is also known that active urethral closure mechanisms prevents stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is enhanced by central and peripheral noradrenergic system activation. Therefore, we examined the influence of propiverine hydrochloride on urethral anti-incontinence function in rats.
Methods:
Adult female rats were divided into propiverine and vehicle-treated groups. The propiverine group was given propiverine orally once a day for 2 weeks, after which urethral function and plasma concentrations of catecholamine (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) were tested.
Results:
Urethral baseline pressure measured by a microtransducer-tipped urethral catheter and leak-point pressure during passive intravesical pressure elevation were significantly increased in the propiverine group compared with the vehicle group. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the propiverine group were also significantly increased.
Conclusions:
Propiverine treatment that increases plasma catecholamine levels could contribute to improvement of SUI conditions by increasing urethral resistance.
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