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The effect of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine on bladder function
1Department of Pharmacology, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO 63501, USA.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|September 5, 1996
Summary
Inhibiting nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase) in cats lowered the bladder’s micturition volume threshold, suggesting NO’s role in bladder function and potential links to bladder diseases.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Nitric oxide synthase (NO synthase) presence in lower urinary tract tissues is known.
- The specific role of NO synthase in detrusor muscle activity remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of NO synthase inhibition on detrusor muscle activity.
- To determine if NO synthase inhibition alters the micturition volume threshold and pelvic nerve-evoked contractions.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted on naive, anesthetized adult cats.
- Pelvic nerve-evoked bladder contractions were measured before and after NO synthase inhibition.
- Micturition volume threshold was assessed pre- and post-inhibition using L-NMMA.
Main Results:
- L-NMMA significantly decreased the micturition volume threshold (38% intravesical, 80% intra-arterial).
- The magnitude of micturition contractions was modestly increased following NO synthase inhibition.
- These findings suggest NO synthase inhibition impacts bladder reflexes and capacity.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) likely plays a role in the collection phase of the bladder cycle.
- Altered NO availability may contribute to bladder dysfunction, including small bladder diseases like interstitial cystitis.