Systemic augmentation of nitric oxide: is there an immediate effect on the urinary flow rate in healthy men?

Abstract

Introduction: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important neurotransmitter in the lower urinary tract. Data from experimental studies in animals and humans suggest that NO donors like isosorbide dinitrate could be used to lower the infravesical resistance. Despite the potentially significant clinical benefit of such an effect, it has hardly been studied in vivo in men. We investigated the immediate effect of isosorbide dinitrate on the urinary flow rate and the functional bladder capacity in healthy young men.

Patients and methods: A free urinary flow was measured in 20 healthy male volunteers on two consecutive micturitions. 15-25 min prior to the second micturition, 10 mg of the NO donor isosorbide dinitrate was administered sublingually.

Results: We found no significant difference between baseline measurement and the micturition after NO administration with regard to the totally voided volume, the maximal or the average flow rate as well as the flow rate corrected for the voided volume.

Conclusion: Systemic augmentation of NO does not produce a relevant immediate effect on the urinary flow rate or the functional bladder capacity in healthy men.