title: Stimulation of postjunctional alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoreceptors increases proximal urethral perfusion pressure in the pithed rat.
abstract: 1. In pithed rats, the effects of postjunctional alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoreceptor stimulation on prostatomembranous urethral perfusion pressure (UPP) were characterized by using selective adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists. 2. Dose-dependent increases in UPP were elicited by the intravenous administration of selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists, phenylephrine (1.0-30.0 micrograms kg-1) and BHT-933 (10-3000 micrograms kg-1), respectively. 3. The effects of phenylephrine on UPP were antagonized, in a dose-related manner, by pretreatment with prazosin (0.1 and 0.5 mg kg-1, iv), a selective alpha-1 adrenoreceptor antagonist. In contrast, pretreatment with rauwolscine 0.1 and 0.5 mg kg-1, iv), a selective alpha-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist, did not alter phenylephrine-induced increases in UPP. 4. BHT-933 elicited increases in UPP that were antagonized, in a dose-related manner, by pretreatment with rauwolscine (0.1 and 0.5 mg kg-1, iv). Neither dose of prazosin altered the effects of BHT-933 on UPP. 5. These results demonstrate increases in the resistance to flow (constriction) through the proximal urethra following selective stimulation of postjunctional alpha-1 and alpha-2 urethral adrenoreceptors. 6. The role of urethral alpha-adrenoreceptor subtypes in the neurohumoral control of the urethra remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Smith Kline Laboratory, King of Prussia, PA 19406.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Willette
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sauermelch
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hieble
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D003655:Decerebrate State; D010477:Perfusion; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects*; D014521:Urethra / Q000187:drug effects*; D014628:Vagotomy; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D001381:Azepines; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D010656:Phenylephrine; D015016:Yohimbine; C015603:azepexole; D011224:Prazosin