Zolpidem increases bladder capacity and decreases urine excretion in rats

Aims To clarify the effects of zolpidem, a γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor agonist, on bladder function, and urine production, we investigated the effects of zolpidem administration on bladder overactivity induced by cerebral infarction (CI) and on urine excretion increased by water overloading in Wistar rats. Methods CI was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion. The effects on bladder function of zolpidem alone or in combination with the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, were then examined in the CI rats using cystometry. The antidiuretic effect of zolpidem was investigated in water‐loaded and Brattleboro rats (genetically vasopressin‐deficient). Blood samples were collected from water‐loaded rats to determine the aldosterone level 1 and 6 hr after zolpidem administration. Results Zolpidem increased bladder capacity dose‐dependently, but had no significant effect on bladder contraction pressure in CI rats. Bicuculline dose‐dependently inhibited zolpidem‐induced increases in bladder capacity without affecting bladder contraction pressure. Zolpidem dose‐dependently decreased the volume of urine excreted in water‐loaded and Brattleboro rats. Compared with the control group, zolpidem significantly increased the aldosterone concentration in the plasma of water‐loaded rats 1 hr after administration. Conclusions Zolpidem increased bladder capacity via a GABAergic mechanism in CI rats, and suppressed urine excretion via a pathway that was not through activation of vasopressin V2 receptors in water‐loaded and Brattleboro rats. These results suggest that zolpidem may improve nocturia via an increase in bladder capacity and a decrease in urine excretion. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:587–591, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.