Sensory nerves and urinary bladder function: effects of diabetes, capsaicin and acrylamide treatment

1. A comparison was made of the proposed neurotoxic effects of acrylamide, capsaicin, and diabetes on rat urinary bladder pressure responses elicited by infusion of buffer into the organ (distension). 2. Treatment with capsaicin or acrylamide completely abolished the bladder pressure responses. 3. After 4 weeks of diuresis equivalent to that of the diabetic model, the pressure response was markedly diminished compared to control. This response was greatly increased following L-DOPA, which augments the micturition reflex. 4. After 4 weeks of streptozoticin-induced diabetes, the pressure response was slightly diminished compared to control and most closely resembled the response from the diuretic group treated with L-DOPA.