Abstract
Autonomic nerve impulses are conveyed to the smooth musculature of the lower urinary tract by transmittor substances acting on muscle receptors. These impulses have partly or completely ceased in children with congenital neurogenic bladder disturbances. In order to evaluate the significance of a defect sympathetic innervation for collection of urine and micturition the adrenergic receptor functions have been investigated. Alpha-adrenergic receptor function was found in the outlet region of the bladder, i.e. bladder base, bladder neck and proximal urethra, of man and cat. Stimulation of this type of receptor leads to a contraction of the internal sphincter of the bladder. Beta-adrenergic receptor function could be identified in both the corpus-fundus region and in the outlet region. Low concentrations of beta-adrenergic agonists relaxed the internal sphincter as did adrenaline and noradrenaline in low concentrations. Higher concentrations of these cathecolamines contracted the same region. In children with myelomeningocele the adrenergic receptor functions could be activated by local application of drugs in the bladder.
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Nergårdh, D., Lind, J. Adrenergic receptor functions in the urinary bladder and its outlet region. Pediatr Res 8, 912 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197411000-00082
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197411000-00082