Effect of bethanechol on glycolysis and high energy phosphate metabolism of the rabbit urinary bladder.

The urinary bladder, similar to other smooth muscles, utilizes glucose as one of its primary sources of metabolic energy. We have studied the effect of bethanechol on both glycolysis and high energy phosphate metabolism. The results can be summarized as follows: bethanechol administration in vitro stimulates a 30% decrease in intracellular glycogen, a 100% increase in lactic acid production, and an 80% increase in CO2 generation. Although there was a rapid and sustained decrease in the intracellular concentration of creatine phosphate, there was only a minor decrease in the intracellular concentration of ATP. There were no changes in adenine uptake or de novo ATP synthesis.