Purpose: We investigated the presence of functional ß1, ß2 and ß3-adrenoceptor in urothelium and detrusor muscle of human bladder through in vitro pharmacology of selective ß3 adrenoceptor agonist solabegron. Materials and Methods: Expression of these adrenoceptors in surgically separated human urothelium and detrusor muscle were investigated using RT-PCR. The effects of activating these receptors were studied by determining the relaxation produced by ß-adrenoceptors agonist in pre-contracted human detrusor strips. Results: The results confirmed the presence of mRNA for ß1, ß2 and ß3-adrenoceptor in both human urothelium and detrusor. In an in vitro functional bladder assay, Solabegron and other agonists for ß-adrenoceptors such as procaterol and isoproterenol evoked potent concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated human bladder strips with pD2 values of 8.73 ± 0.19, 5.08 ± 0.48 and 6.28 ± 0.54, respectively. Conclusions: Selective ß3-adrenoceptor agonist may be a potential new treatment for the overactive bladder OAB syndrome. Existence of ß3-adrenoceptor mRNA exists in the urothelium in addition to the detrusor muscle suggest multiple site of actions for the ß3-adrenoceptor in the lower urinary tract.

PURPOSE: We assessed the relationships between bladder symptoms, demographic, and medical history variables and sexual dysfunction in women with overactive bladder (OAB) disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight women diagnosed with OAB completed self-administered questionnaires related to overall heath status, bladder function, and sexual function. Data were compiled for questionnaire responses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: Bothersome bladder symptoms were reported by ³ 60% of the sample. Sixty-percent of the sample was sexually active in the past month. Difficulty with sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual enjoyment were reported by about 25% of the women. Sexual partner status was the best predictor of sexual arousal, orgasm, and sexual enjoyment. Menopausal status emerged as an important predictor of arousal and sexual enjoyment. CONCLUSION: The majority of women with symptoms of OAB viewed these symptoms as bothersome. However, the extent of symptom bother did not predict aspects of female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Instead, menopausal and partner status emerged as the best predictors of FSD in our sample.

INTRODUCTION: We reviewed our experience with the use of gabapentin to treat symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and nocturia in patients who have failed conventional anticholinergic therapy. METHODS: Thirty-one patients referred to us with refractory (OAB) and/or nocturia were treated with oral gabapentin. All the patients had tried or remained on antimuscarinic drugs during treatment. Twenty-four of 31 complained of bothersome symptoms during day and night and the other seven had primary complaints of nocturia. Initial gabapentin doses ranged from 100-300 mg at bedtime. Dose was slowly titrated up to 3,000 mg based on patients' symptomatology and tolerability. RESULTS:The mean age was 51 years old (range 27-78). There were 13 men and 18 women. The median steady state dose chosen by the patient after initial titration was 600 mg/day. Fourteen of 31 patients reported subjective improvement of their frequency and 8 have been on the medication for over 12 months with persistent efficacy. For the 14 improved patients, mean frequency/24 hours decreased from 14.1 ± 2.2 to10.0 + 2.1. Three patients with primary nocturia reported improvement from a mean of 4.0 ± 1.3 to 1.0 ± 0.3 episodes/night. Six patients stopped taking the drug within one month due to side effects mostly described as drowsiness or lethargy. CONCLUSION: Fourteen of 31 patients with refractory (OAB) and nocturia improved with oral gabapentin. Gabapentin was generally well tolerated and can be considered in selective patients when conventional modalities have failed.