Clinical import of serotonin activity in the bladder and urethra.
It has been observed in animal studies that 5-hydroxytryptamine produces bladder contractions. The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in human vesicourethral function was studied by administering 75 mg. clomipramine daily for 4 days to 8 patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. Clomipramine inhibits the uptake of serotonin into 5-hydroxytryptamine containing presynaptic nerve endings and, thus, makes more neurotransmitter available to the postsynaptic site. The intravesical volume, at which first detrusor reflex activity was observed, showed a decrease from 329.5 to 178.5 ml. after clomipramine therapy. The residual urine also decreased from 111.25 to 30.0 ml. No side effect was observed. Further investigations involving a larger number of patients are indicated to study the possible use of serotonin activity in the bladder for promoting bladder emptying.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D014521:Urethra / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000503:physiopathology
D012701:Serotonin; D002997:Clomipramine