title: The effect of levcromakalim (BRL 38227) on bladder function in patients with high spinal cord lesions.
abstract: The effects of the potassium channel opener levcromakalim (BRL 38227) 7.5 micrograms kg-1 were examined on urodynamic variables and blood pressure during inflow and voiding cystometry in six high spinal cord lesion patients. Levcromakalim administration significantly increased the duration of bladder contraction (197 +/- 128 s to 267 +/- 167 s, P < 0.05) and also reduced blood pressure (126 +/- 13/67 +/- 9 mm Hg to 104 +/- 25/52 +/- 12 mm Hg) but was without effect on other urodynamic parameters. Because of concerns about hypotensive responses, further studies involving higher doses of levcromakalim should be considered only if the drug was administered intravesically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Komersova
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rogerson
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Krum
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Jackman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Louis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D019806:Cromakalim; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011758:Pyrroles; D019806:Cromakalim