title: [Role of electrochemical potential in urinary tract function].
abstract: Rhythmic changes produced by impulse waves, respiratory and other movements are able to convert mechanical energy of the urine in the pelvis to electric energy because urine is a high-concentration electrolyte. With filling and extension of the pelvic wall, when epithelial coating is transforming from multilayer to one-layer, its resistance to electric current lowers. Growing pelvic volume in the course of the pelvis filling is accompanied by increasing electrical potential in the pelvic wall in parallel with a decline in urothelial resistance. Accumulation of electrochemical potential in the submucous layer and interstitial intermuscular spaces is a powerful stimulator of the neuromuscular elements of the urinary tracts. Their rhythmic engagement is controlled by baroreceptor pelvic mechanisms and distal urinary tracts. Such a pace-maker is functional. It does not need special morphological structures, as its activity is determined by electrochemical potential accumulated rhythmically in the wall. This potential depends on composition and properties of the urine which are related to renal functions and homeostasis.
authors.forename: Iu A
authors.initials: IuA
authors.lastname: Pytel'
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Borisov
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D017704:Baroreflex / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D014513:Ureter / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D014563:Urodynamics; D019459:Urothelium / Q000502:physiology