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Capsaicin-Sensitive Sensory Nerves Indirectly Modulate Motor Function of the Urinary Bladder
Hsi-Hsien Chang1, Shang-Jen Chang1,2, Cheng-Hsing Hsieh1
1Division of Urology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
International Neurourology Journal
|July 12, 2018
Summary
Phenylephrine triggers a novel sensory nerve pathway in the urinary bladder, leading to detrusor muscle relaxation via norepinephrine release. This discovery sheds light on bladder motor control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The urinary bladder (UB) has both sensory and autonomic innervation.
- Sensory neuropeptides are known to induce detrusor muscle contractions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate interactions between submucosal sensory nerves and autonomic nerves in regulating mouse detrusor muscle motor function.
- Elucidate the mechanism of phenylephrine-induced relaxation in the urinary bladder.
Main Methods:
- Isolated mouse urinary bladder strips were used in organ bath experiments.
- Dose-response curves to norepinephrine and phenylephrine were analyzed.
- Tissue bath myography assessed drug effects and receptor antagonist preincubations.
Main Results:
- Phenylephrine induced concentration-dependent relaxation in both intact and denuded UB strips.
- Relaxation was inhibited by lidocaine, silodosin, guanethidine, propranolol, and capsaicin.
- These findings suggest a complex neural pathway involving sensory and adrenergic nerves.
Conclusions:
- Phenylephrine activates sensory nerve α-1A adrenergic receptors, triggering capsaicin-sensitive nerves.
- This process releases an unknown substance that enhances norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerves.
- Norepinephrine then stimulates β-ARs, causing neurogenic relaxation of the mouse urinary bladder.
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