The electrical properties and responses to nerve stimulation of the proximal urethra of the male rabbit

• Published in: British Journal of Urology 1997-04, Vol.79 (4), p.543-553
• Main Authors: CREED, K.E., OIKE, M., ITO, Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Action Potentials - physiology; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Electric Stimulation; Electrophysiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Junction potentials; Male; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Muscle, Smooth - innervation; Muscle, Smooth - physiology; Neurotransmitter Agents - pharmacology; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - pharmacology; Nicardipine - pharmacology; rabbit urethra; Rabbits; Reaction Time; smooth muscle; Urethra - innervation; Urethra - physiology; Vertebrates: urinary system
• ISSN: 0007-1331; 1464-410X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1464-410X.1997.00105.x

Objective  To identify the nature of neurotransmitters acting on the smooth muscle cells of the proximal urethra and the electrical activity underlying the mechanical responses to nerve stimulation. Materials and methods The electrical activity of longitudinal strips of proximal urethra obtained from male rabbits was recorded with microelectrode and double sucrose‐gap techniques. Intramural nerves were stimulated with 200 μs pulses. Drugs which selectively affected neurotransmission were added to the perfusing fluid. Results The mean resting potential of smooth muscle cells was −39 mV and they had infrequent spontaneous action potentials. The frequency was increased by noradrenaline without depolarization; ATP produced depolarization with increased action‐potential frequency. Small (≤16 mV) spontaneous depolarizations and hyperpolarizations could be recorded from 1 s and showed much variation in amplitude and duration. IJPs could still be recorded in the presence of N‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). In the double sucrose‐gap, depolarization and associated contraction were reduced by α,β‐methylene ATP. Further reduction occurred with phentolamine and the remaining response was blocked by atropine. A large hyperpolarization could occur in response to a single stimulus but this decreased progressively with repeated stimulation. The hyperpolarization was partially blocked by L‐NAME. Conclusions The proximal urethra receives excitatory innervation involving three neurotransmitters, i.e. ATP, acetylcholine and noradrenaline, and inhibition is associated with hyperpolarization which results at least in part from action of non‐nitrergic nerves.