RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The pain assocaited with ureteral obstruction is caused by a rise in intraluminal pressure above the obstruction which produces an increase in tension of the ureteral smooth muscle. A reduction in pressure will result in decreased tension and relief of pain. In this study we used papaverine and a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, diclofenac sodium to decrease ureteral tension and compaired their effects on isolated human ureteric smooth muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiment have been carried out with isolated ring preparation of human ureter. The tissue displayed spontaneous activity and contracted when exposed to KCl (40 mM). Papaverine (10(-5) M) and diclofenac sodium (10(-8)-10(-5) M) were applied on the precontracted segments and isometric variation was recorded with Nihon-Kohden TB-612 isometric transducer. Their relaxant responses were comparatively examined. RESULTS: Mean relaxation obtained by diclofenac sodium and papaverine were respectively 43.19% and 28.96%. Our study showed that diclofenac sodium may be more potent than papaverine in the treatment of renal colic.