Differential role of opioid receptors in tibial nerve inhibition of nociceptive and nonnociceptive bladder reflexes in cats

Abstract

Naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist) was used to examine the role of opioid mechanisms in bladder reflexes and in somatic afferent inhibition of these reflexes by tibial nerve stimulation (TNS). Experiments were conducted in α-chloralose-anesthetized cats when the bladder was infused with saline or 0.25% acetic acid (AA). The bladder volume was measured at the first large-amplitude (>30 cmH2O) contraction during a cystometrogram and termed “estimated bladder capacity” (EBC). AA irritated the bladder, induced bladder overactivity, and significantly ( P < 0.0001) reduced EBC to 14.3 ± 1.9% of the saline control. TNS (5 Hz, 0.2 ms) at 4 and 8 times the threshold (T) intensity for inducing an observable toe movement suppressed AA-induced bladder overactivity and significantly increased EBC to 41.5 ± 9.9% (4T, P < 0.05) and 46.1 ± 7.9% (8T, P < 0.01) of the saline control. Naloxone (1 mg/kg iv) completely eliminated TNS inhibition of bladder overactivity. Naloxone (0.001–1 mg/kg iv) did not change EBC during AA irritation. However, during saline infusion naloxone (1 mg/kg iv) significantly ( P < 0.01) reduced EBC to 66.5 ± 8.1% of the control EBC. During saline infusion, TNS induced an acute increase in EBC and an increase that persisted following the stimulation. Naloxone (1 mg/kg) did not alter either type of inhibition. However, naloxone administered during the poststimulation inhibition decreased EBC. These results indicate that opioid receptors have different roles in modulation of nociceptive and nonnociceptive bladder reflexes and in somatic afferent inhibition of these reflexes, raising the possibility that opioid receptors may be a target for pharmacological treatment of lower urinary tract disorders.