Purpose: We evaluated the effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on detrusor hyperreflexia in cerebral infarcted rats.
Materials and methods: To produce cerebral infarction in Sprague-Dawley rats the left middle cerebral artery was occluded by introducing a monofilament nylon thread into the artery. In sham operated rats the same artery was exposed but not occluded. After these operations cystometric and cardiovascular experiments were performed with no anesthesia or restraint.
Results: After the operation bladder capacity was significantly decreased and voiding pressure was significantly increased in cerebral infarcted but not in sham operated animals. The difference in cerebral infarcted and sham operated rats was significant for each parameter (p <0.01). Post-void residual urine volume was not affected in either group. In the cerebral infarction group intravenous administration of CL316243 ([R,R]-5-2-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl-2-hydroxyethyl]-amino]propyl] -1,3-benzodioxole-2,2-dicarboxylate) (Kissei Central Laboratories, Hotaka, Japan) a selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity at 10 and 100 microgram./kg. without affecting voiding pressure or post-void residual urine volume. Procaterol, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, significantly increased bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume at 10 microgram/kg. intravenously without affecting voiding pressure. In separate experiments procaterol (1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) decreased mean blood pressure and increased heart rate in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, the effects of CL316243 (0.1 to 100 microgram./kg. intravenously) on mean blood pressure and heart rate were minimal.
Conclusions: These results indicate that in cerebral infarcted rats detrusor hyperreflexia can be suppressed by the selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonist CL316243 without increasing post-void residual volume and without significant cardiovascular side effects. If the current results hold true in humans, selective beta3-adrenoceptor agonists may prove useful for treating detrusor hyperreflexia associated with cerebral infarction.