The effect of ritodrine and glucagon on the acutely obstructed canine ureter

The effects of 22 micrograms/kg/h glucagon and 240 micrograms/kg/h ritodrine infusions on the electrical activity and the intraluminal pressure of an acutely obstructed canine ureter have been studied. Acute obstruction of the ureter increased the rate of peristalsis from 7.05 (+/- 0.61) to 19.87 (+/- 0.47) per minute and the intraluminal pressure rose to a maximum of 124 cm water. Glucagon and ritodrine infusions reduced the rate of peristalsis to 6.32 (+/- 0.73) and 5.83 (+/- 0.84) respectively, whilst the intraluminal pressure was reduced by 43% during the glucagon infusion and 51% during the ritodrine infusion. The effect of ritodrine was more prolonged than that of glucagon.