The effect of urethane on spontaneous and stimulated contractions of isolated rabbit urinary bladder.

The effects of urethane on the spontaneous and stimulated contractility of isolated strips from rabbit urinary bladder has been investigated to assess if, and at which concentrations, this anaesthetic interferes with the contractility of the bladder smooth muscle. Urethane produces a generalized depression of both spontaneous and stimulated bladder muscle contractility but is expected that, in concentrations similar to those found in plasma during anaesthesia, its effect does not exceed the 10-20% inhibition. Urethane depression of bladder muscle contractility appears attributable, at least in part, to an inhibition of calcium ions mobilization from an intracellular store.