URETHRA

FUNCTIONAL PHARMACOLOGY ASSAYS

• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Human and animal (rat, guinea-pig, rabbit, pig, others upon request)

• Urethral smooth muscle

• Adrenoceptors (α₁, α₂, …)
• Transient Receptor Potential (TRPV1, TRPA1)
• Phosphodiesterases
• Monoamine reuptake inhibitors

The urethra is cleaned of adipose and connective tissues and cut into strips. Tissues are mounted under 1 g initial tension in 5 ml organ baths containing oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution.

Contractile responses are measured using isometric tension transducers and recorded using a data acquisition system.

Myogenic and neurogenic responses can be assessed. For example concentration-response curves to NE can be constructed in the presence or absence of α_1-adrenoceptor inhibitor. To study the effect of substances on neurogenic responses, electrical field stimulation can be applied in the presence or absence of test compounds.

• Palea S et al. Life Sci 61:PL21-6, 1997
  
• Palea S et al. Neurourol Urodyn 25: 585-86, 2006