Partial bladder outlet obstruction is associated with decreased expression and function of the small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel in guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle.

Purpose Partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) usually induces overactive bladder (OAB) associated with detrusor overactivity (DO) which is related to the increased contractility of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM). The pharmacological activation of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels dramatically attenuates DSM contractility. However, the role of SK channels in the PBOO DSM is less clear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PBOO is associated with decreased expression and function of SK channels in DSM and that the activation of SK channels is a potential target to regulate DO.