Effects of Prostaglandins on the Isolated Human Bladder and Urethra

Abstract

Abstract The effects of prostaglandins F 2α (PGF 2α ), E 2 (PGE 1 ) and E 2 (PGE 2 ) on the human lower urinary tract were studied in vitro in preparations obtained from patients undergoing total cystourethrectomy because of bladder malignancy. Tissue specimens were taken from different parts of the urethra, the urethrovesical junction, and the bladder. From these specimens, smooth muscle preparations were dissected and mounted in organ baths, that were filled with Krebs solution (37°C) and bubbled with carbogen. Isometric tension was recorded. Preparations from the bladder and all parts of the urethra were contracted by PGF 2α . This effect was not affected by tetrodotoxin, phenoxybenzamine, or atropine; isoprenaline relaxed the PGF 2α induced contractions. PGE 1 and PGE 2 both contracted strips from the bladder. However, urethral preparations contracted by PGF 2α or noradrenaline were relaxed by these agents. This relaxing effect was at least as pronounced as that produced by isoprenaline; it was not affected by propranolol.