title: Effects of ouabain on tension response and [3H]noradrenaline release in human prostate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The activity of Na+/K+ ATPase is a crucial factor in lots of functions of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles. However, its role in muscle contractility of human prostate has not been well elucidated. In this context, we have examined the effect of ouabain on the contractile response and noradrenaline release in human prostate to clarify the role of cardiac glycoside in the pathophysiology of bladder outlet obstruction associated by benign prostatic enlargement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human prostatic tissues (n = 12) were obtained at operation from males by open prostatectomy (n = 2) or transurethral resection of the prostate (n = 10). The effect of ouabain on muscle contraction and [3H]noradrenaline release was studied in human prostatic tissue. The action mechanism following the administration of ouabain was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ouabain concentration-dependently induced a gradual contraction in human prostate and this delayed contraction was significantly blocked by prazosin other than the other receptor antagonists. In parallel experiments, ouabain also caused a concentration-dependent gradual increase in [3H]noradrenaline release, which was extracellular Ca2+-dependent. Furthermore, ouabain-induced [3H]noradrenaline release increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, with increasing Na+ concentrations from 25 to 140 mM. Moreover, K+-free Krebs solution could mimic the [3H]noradrenaline release action to ouabain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ouabain may induce an increase in tension response in human prostate, and this effect is due mainly to an increase in noradrenaline release via an effect on the Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Guh
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chueh
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D009638:Norepinephrine