Beta-Adrenergic Activity in Human Proximal Urethra: A Study with Terbutaline

Abstract
.beta.-Adrenergic activity in the proximal urethra was studied in 15 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction owing to spinal cord injury or to neurogenic disease. Maximum urethral closure pressure was recorded before and after the administration of terbutaline, a .beta.-2 agonist. The average decrease in maximum urethral closure pressure after s.c. injection of terbutaline was 40.46% and this was significant (P < 0.001). The clinical implications of this finding are discussed.