Effects of OPC-51803, a Novel, Nonpeptide Vasopressin V2-Receptor Agonist, on Micturition Frequency in Brattleboro and Aged Rats

We assessed the effects of OPC-51803 ((5R)-2-[1-(2-chloro-4-(1-pyrrolidinyl)benzoyl)2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepin-5-yl]-N-isopropylacetamide), a nonpeptide vasopessin V-2-receptor agonist, on micturition frequency in female homozygous Brattleboro rats (strain carries hereditary diabetes insipidus) and aged male Sprague-Dawley rats with polyuria. Female homozygous Brattleboro rats exhibited more diuresis and a larger micturition frequency over a 24-h period than did the heterozygous controls. In Brattleboro rats, an oral administration of OPC-51803 at 0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg significantly decreased urinary frequency and was accompanied by decreased urine volume. However, little effect was seen in the mean and maximal micturition volume. Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats (25-month-old) showed a significant increase in urine volume throughout a 0- to 24-h period compared with mature (6-month-old) rats. Orally administered OPC-51803 at 0.3 mg/kg decreased not only urine volume but also urinary frequency in aged rats. Furthermore, OPC-51803 prolonged the time prior to the first micturition. Therefore, OPC-51803 decreased micturition frequency in both rat species by reducing urine outflow. This suggests that the compound will be useful for treating micturition disorders that result in frequent micturition, such as that from polyuria, nocturnal polyuria, and some kinds of urinary incontinence.