title: Effects of propiverine hydrochloride, an anticholinergic agent, on urethral continence mechanisms and plasma catecholamine concentration in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anticholinergics are used to treat overactive bladder. Anticholinergic agents such as propiverine hydrochloride reportedly increase plasma catecholamine levels in rats. It is also known that active urethral closure mechanisms prevents stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which is enhanced by central and peripheral noradrenergic system activation. Therefore, we examined the influence of propiverine hydrochloride on urethral anti-incontinence function in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult female rats were divided into propiverine and vehicle-treated groups. The propiverine group was given propiverine orally once a day for 2 weeks, after which urethral function and plasma concentrations of catecholamine (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) were tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Urethral baseline pressure measured by a microtransducer-tipped urethral catheter and leak-point pressure during passive intravesical pressure elevation were significantly increased in the propiverine group compared with the vehicle group. Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the propiverine group were also significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propiverine treatment that increases plasma catecholamine levels could contribute to improvement of SUI conditions by increasing urethral resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Suite 700, Kaufmann Medical Bldg., 3471 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Takeya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitta
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nanri
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiniwa
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nonomura
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000818:Animals; D001561:Benzilates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012912:Sneezing; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001561:Benzilates; D002395:Catecholamines; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; C015586:propiverine