1980 Volume 71 Issue 1 Pages 8-14
Previously we reported on urinary flow rates, urethral pressure profiles and their responses to α-adrenergic blocking agent (phentolamine 5mg iv) in patients who were urodynamically diagnosed as bladder neck contracture. It was found there were some responders to α-adrenergic blocking agent in these patients. In responders, urinary flow rates were remarkably improved and maximum urethral closure pressures were more significantly decreased after intravenous administration of Phentolamine (5mg). These results suggested us that the sympathetic nervous system of posterior urethra had important roles in the causation of bladder neck contracture.
In this study, with the use of histochemical fluorescent technique (Falck-Hillarp's method), we examined the distribution of adrenergic neurons and its terminals in the bladder neck tissues which were transurethrally resected.
The results were as follows.
1. At the submucosal layer, the fluorescence of adrenergic nerve terminals was presented and closely corresponded to collagen fibers and blood vessels.
2. At the muscle layer, adrenergic neurons and terminals were more richly presented. The fluorescence of the muscle layer was more intensive than that of the submucosal layer.
3. At the muscle layer of the responders to α-adrenergic blocking agent, the fluorescence had a tendency to be richer and more intensive than that of non-responders.
From these results, we concluded that sympathetic overactivity of bladder neck smooth muscle was the most important cause in the responders to α-adrenergic blocking agent.
