ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the potential involvement of a specific subtype of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5HT(2) receptors in neurally-induced contractions of the human detrusor. METHODS: Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were examined in human isolated urinary bladder muscle strips. The potentiation of EFS-induced detrusor contraction was examined by adding cumulative concentrations of a 5-HT and 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, α-methyl-serotonin (α-Me-5-HT) (1nM–100μM) in the presence or absence of a 5-HT₂ antagonist, ketanserin (5-HT(2A)>5-HT(2C)) or naftopidil (5-HT(2B)>5-HT(2A)) (0.3–3μM). RESULTS: 5-HT and α-Me-5-HT potentiated EFS-induced contraction with a maximal effect (E(max)) of 37.6% and 38.6%, respectively, and with pEC(50) (negative logarithm of the concentration required for a half-maximal response to an agonist) values of 8.3 and 6.8, respectively. Neither ketanserin nor naftopidil at any concentration produced a rightward displacement of the α-Me-5-HT concentration response curve. Instead, the E(max) of α-Me-5-HT increased in the presence of ketanserin at 0.3–1μM and in the presence of naftopidil at 1μM to 51% and 56%, respectively, while the E(max) in the presence of vehicle alone was 36%. The highest concentration (3μM) of either drug, however, fully reversed the enhancement. CONCLUSIONS: The potentiating effect of α-Me-5-HT on neurally-induced contraction of human urinary bladder muscle strips was not found to be mediated via any 5-HT(2) receptor subtypes. The underlying mechanism for the enhancement of the α-Me-5-HT potentiating effect on detrusor contractility by ketanserin and naftopidil remains unknown; however, our results suggest that these drugs may be useful for treating contractile dysfunction of the detrusor, as manifested in conditions such as underactive bladder.