Effects of Prostaglandins on the Isolated Human Bladder and Urethra

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of prostaglandins F2.alpha. (PGF2.alpha.), E1 (PGE1) and E2 (PGE2) on the human lower urinary tract were studied in vitro in preparations obtained from patients undergoing total cystourethrectomy because of bladder malignancy. Tissue specimens were taken from different parts of the urethra, the urethrovesical junction and the bladder. From these specimens, smooth muscle preparations were dissected and mounted in organ baths, that were killed with Krebs solution (37.degree. C) and bubbled with carbogen. Isometric tension was recorded. Preparations from the bladder and all parts of the urethra were contracted by PGF2.alpha.. This effect was not affected by tetrodotoxin, phenoxybenzamine, or atropine; isoprenaline relaxed the PGF2.alpha. induced contractions. PGE1 and PGE2 both contracted strips from the bladder. However, urethral preparations contracted by PGF2.alpha. or noradrenaline [norepinephrine] were relaxed by these agents. This relaxing effect was at least as pronounced as that produced by isoprenaline; it was not affected by propranolol.