Effects of noradrenaline and acetylcholine on ureteral peristalsis

Experiments in vitro were performed to compare effects of noradrenaline and acetylcholine on the pyeloureter, both of which activate ureteral peristalsis. Noradrenaline elevated the baseline renal pressure to accelerate the ureteral peristalic pace in a ratio of 1:1 with the pacemaker discharge at the pelvicalyceal border (PC-border). Acetylcholine also accelerated the ureteral pace for a short time, as compared with the effect of noradrenaline. The baseline renal pelvic pressure dropped after administration of acetylcholine. Noradrenaline a little quickened the rhythm of the pacemaker contraction at the PC-border, and acetylcholine also quickened the pacemaker rhythm. These data suggest that noradrenaline and acetylcholine, which both activate pelviureteral peristalsis, exert different effects on pelvic pressure.