Effects of guanabenz on bladder function after spinal cord injury

The effect of guanabenz, an alpha‐2 adrenoceptor agonist, on urinary bladder function and neurological recovery was studied in cats subjected to a 400 gm‐cm contusion injury of the thoracic spinal cord. Eight cats were treated with 1.3 mg/kg of guanabenz three hours after injury and then twice daily for eight weeks. Four injured cats were used as controls (untreated), and 12 intact cats were used as normal controls. Cystometrograms were used to measure bladder function in all the animals studied. Guanabenz given intraperitoneally significantly improved urinary bladder function and neurological recovery. It appears that treatment of spinal cats with guanabenz has an ameliorative effect on functional reorganization of the central spinal pathways modulating spasticity, micturition, and lower limb function.