Neuronal and smooth muscle receptors involved in the PACAP‐ and VIP‐induced relaxations of the pig urinary bladder neck

Abstract

PACAP 38 and VIP relax the pig urinary bladder neck through muscle VPAC(2) receptors linked to the cAMP-PKA pathway and involve activation of voltage-gated K(+) channels. Facilitatory PAC(1) receptors located at CSPA and coupled to NO release, and inhibitory VPAC receptors at motor endings are also involved in the relaxations to PACAP 38 and VIP, respectively. VIP/PACAP receptor antagonists could be useful in the therapy of urinary incontinence produced by intrinsic sphincter deficiency.