Int Neurourol J.  2019 Jun;23(2):100-108. 10.5213/inj.1836284.142.

Emotional Stress Facilitates Micturition Reflex: Possible Inhibition by an α₁-Adrenoceptor Blocker in the Conscious and Anesthetized State

• Hattori T
• Sugaya K
• Nishijima
• Kadekawa K
• Ueda T
• Yamamoto H

• KMID: 2452557
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5213/inj.1836284.142

Abstract

PURPOSE
To test the hypothesis that naftopidil prolongs intercontraction intervals in rats undergoing chronic stress as observed in previous animal models, voiding behavior and bladder function were measured and analyzed.
METHODS
Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-230 g were exposed to repeated variate stress (RVS) for 1 week, chronic variable mild stress for 2 weeks, or simple mild stress for 1 week. Voiding behavior was assessed in metabolic cages. Voiding frequency and urine output were measured, and changes of these values were compared for the different types of stress. Micturition reflex was analyzed using unconscious cystometry. Naftopidil was administered orally at 30 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks.
RESULTS
Unexpectedly, no stress-exposed rats exhibited increased micturition frequency compared to the normal nonstressed control. However, intercontraction intervals were shortened with each type of stress in the unconscious condition, especially by RVS (P<0.01). Naftopidil prolonged the shortened intervals.
CONCLUSIONS
Although voiding behavior appears approximately normal in rats chronically exposed to emotional stress, internal bladder function can be affected. With anesthesia, micturition intervals were moderately shortened by emotional stress and clearly improved by naftopidil. Therefore, naftopidil appears to act at the spinal level at least.

Keyword

Chronic stress; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Naftopidil; Urinary bladder; Voiding

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Animals
Female
Humans
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Models, Animal
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Reflex*
Stress, Psychological*
Urinary Bladder
Urination*