title: The role of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors and 5-HT(1A) receptors in the control of the micturition reflex in male anaesthetized rats.
abstract: 1. The effects of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists doxazosin (0.1 -- 2 mg kg(-1)), RS-100329 (alpha(1A); 0.01 -- 1 mg kg(-1)), RS-513815 (Ro 151-3815, alpha(1B); 0.3 -- 3 mg kg(-1)) and BMY 7378 (alpha(1D); 0.1 -- 1 mg kg(-1)), the 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, 8-OH-DPAT (0.03 -- 0.3 mg kg(-1)) and antagonist WAY-100635 (0.03 -- 0.3 mg kg(-1)) were investigated (i.v.) on the 'micturition reflex' in the urethane anaesthetized male rat. 2. Reflex-evoked urethra contractions were most sensitive to the inhibitory action of RS-100329, followed by doxazosin, BMY 7378 and WAY-100635 and then RS-513815. The maximum inhibition was 66, 63, 54, 46 and 22% at doses of 0.3, 0.5, 0.3, 0.3 and 3 mg kg(-1) respectively. 3. BMY 7378 and 8-OH-DPAT decreased, while WAY-100635 increased, the pressure threshold to induce bladder contraction. WAY-100635 (0.01 mg kg(-1)) blocked the effects of BMY 7378 (1 mg kg(-1)) on bladder pressure and volume threshold. 4. Doxazosin, RS-100329 and BMY 7378 had a similar potency in inducing a fall in arterial blood pressure while WAY-100635 only caused a fall at the highest dose. 5. Therefore, reflex-evoked urethral contraction involves the activation of alpha(1A/1D)-adrenoceptors, as BMY 7378 and RS-100329 are similarly potent in attenuating this effect. The ability of WAY-100635 to attenuate this contraction may suggest that 5-HT(1A) receptors are also involved. However, as this inhibition occurred at the highest dose of WAY-100635, which also caused a fall in arterial blood pressure; this effect is considered to be due to blockade of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors not 5-HT(1A) receptors. Nevertheless the initiation of the 'micturition reflex' involves the activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College London, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 2PF.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Conley
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Ramage
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D014439:Tyramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014520:Urethane / Q000494:pharmacology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D008024:Ligands; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014520:Urethane; D014439:Tyramine