Effects of combined treatment of tadalafil and tamsulosin on bladder dysfunction via the inhibition of afferent nerve activities in a rat model of bladder outlet obstruction.

purposeTo investigate the effects of combined treatment of tadalafil (a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor) and tamsulosin (an α

methodsCystometry was performed in conscious female BOO rats 6 weeks after partially ligation of the urethra. Either tadalafil (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) or tamsulosin (0.001, 0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg) was cumulatively applied intravenously at 30-min intervals to examine changes in cystometric parameters and blood pressures. Changes in cystometric parameters and blood pressures were also checked when tadalafil (0.3 mg/kg), tamsulosin (0.003 mg/kg) or both were intravenously applied.

resultsIn BOO rats, application of either tadalafil (0.3 mg/kg) or tamsulosin (0.003, 0.01 mg/kg) alone significantly increased threshold pressures and intercontraction intervals whereas there were no significant changes in other cystometric parameters. In addition, because a significant reduction in blood pressures was detected after the administration of tamsulosin (0.01 mg/kg), tamsulosin at a lower dose (0.003 mg/kg) was used for the combined treatment. The combination therapy of tadalafil and tamsulosin induced a significantly larger rate of increase in intercontraction intervals (1.7 times) compared with monotherapy of either drug (1.3 times each) although the combined therapy did not affect blood pressures.

conclusionsThese results suggest that the combination therapy of tadalafil and tamsulosin can induce the additive inhibitory effects on urinary frequency compared with monotherapy, more likely via inhibition of the afferent limb of micturition reflex rather than the efferent function as evidenced by the increases in threshold pressures and intercontraction intervals without affecting bladder contractile function.