Epinephrine reduces the severity of catheter-induced urethral inflammation by action at the alpha 2-adrenoceptors.
We have studied the contribution of epinephrine to experimentally induced urethral inflammation in the rat. Inflammation was induced by inserting latex strips into the urethra. The effects of various experimental procedures were assessed according to a 4-point scale based on histological findings. The results showed that 0.5 mg/kg epinephrine decreased the severity of catheter-induced urethral inflammation. This effect was blocked by the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, yohimbine, but not by alpha 1 (prazosin), beta 1 (M32 MTC), or beta 2 (butoxamine) antagonists. The results suggest that the suppressive effect of epinephrine is mediated by action at the alpha 2 adrenergic receptor.
Lundeberg
T
T
Department of Physiology II, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Nordling
L
L
Liedberg
H
H
Theodorsson
E
E
Ekman
P
P
D000818:Animals; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects*; D014521:Urethra / Q000473:pathology; D014526:Urethritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D015016:Yohimbine; D004837:Epinephrine