Role of nitric oxide in urinary bladder function: effect of L-arginine.
BACKGROUND
Evidence indicates that decreased blood flow to the bladder plays a major role in obstructive bladder dysfunction in the rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO), and that nitric oxide (NO) regulation of blood flow may be important in modulating the degree of obstructive bladder dysfunction. The specific aim of our study is to determine the effect of feeding rabbits a diet high in L-arginine on the response to PBOO.


METHODS
Sixteen male NZ White rabbits were separated into 4 groups of 4 each. The rabbits in groups 1 and 3 underwent PBOO. The rabbits in groups 2 and 4 were sham-operated. For 1 week prior to surgery, and 2 weeks postoperatively, each rabbit in groups 1 and 2 was put on a diet containing 7% arginine. Rabbits in groups 3 and 4 were on a normal diet (0.76% arginine).


RESULTS
PBOO resulted in a greater increase in bladder weight in the control group than the arginine group. PBOO resulted in a greater decrease in compliance in the control group than the arginine group. The contractile responses to all agents in the arginine control group were greater than in the control normal diet group. PBOO resulted in a greater decrease in the response to field stimulation in the control group than in the arginine group.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies clearly demonstrate that feeding rabbits a diet high in L-arginine was beneficial for the control rabbits, and reduced the level of dysfunctions following PBOO.
Whitbeck
Catherine
C
Albany College of Pharmacy and Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
Chichester
Paul
P
Sokol
Rebekah
R
Levin
Robert M
RM
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine