MECHANISM OF ACTION OF DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE ON RABBIT DETRUSOR MUSCLE AND VAS-DEFERENS

Abstract

Dicyclomine inhibited responses of rabbit detrusor muscle to transmural stimulation more than atropine or lidocaine, and also inhibited responses to acetylcholine and to KCl. Responses of rabbit vas deferens to noradrenaline and transmural stimulation were inhibited by dicyclomine. Dicyclomine was as potent a local anesthetic as lidocaine, as determined by the guinea-pig wheal test. 45Ca2+ exchange in the rabbit detrusor, measured by the La method, was not altered by atropine, lidocaine or dicyclomine. Dicyclomine not only acted as an anticholinergic agent, but also impaired excitation-contraction coupling and release of transmitter from autonomic nerves.