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R M Berne

Publications and source records attributed to R M Berne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Competitive inhibition of nitric oxide synthase prevents the cortical hyperemia associated with peripheral nerve stimulation.

With combined microdialysis and hydrogen clearance techniques for simultaneous local delivery of drugs and blood-flow measurement in the rat hindlimb sensory-motor cortex, we examined the role of nitric oxide in cerebral blood-flow regulation during sciatic nerve stimulation. Infusion of 1 mM nitric oxide synthase antagonist, N eta-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), blocked the cortical blood-flow response to sciatic nerve stimulation (152 +/- 43 ml.min-1.100 g-1 of tissue in controls and 73 +/- 11 ml.min-1.100 g-1 in the presence of L-NAME; P less than 0.05). Addition of 10 mM L-arginine to the dialysate containing L-NAME partially restored the hyperemic response to nerve stimulation (125 ml.min-1.100 g-1). L-NAME also produced a decrease in baseline cerebral blood flow when compared with the control (66 +/- 14 ml.min-1.100 g-1 vs. 93 +/- 25 ml.min-1.100 g-1). We conclude that nitric oxide from activated neurons participates in the local regulation of cortical blood flow in response to sciatic nerve stimulation and also in the maintenance of basal cortical blood flow.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases

Changes in work rate to oxygen consumption ratio during hypoxia and ischemia in immature and mature rabbit hearts.

This study was designed to evaluate the relative response of myocardial efficiency to reduced oxygen supply (hypoxia and ischemia) in immature and mature isolated rabbit hearts. Hearts were subjected to either 15 min of hypoxia (60% or 30% O2) or reductions in coronary flow to 75%, 50%, 25%, and 15% of basal flow followed by 12 min of total global ischemia and 15 min of reperfusion. In order to examine changes in cardiac efficiency, we utilized the ratio of isovolumic contractile function (rate-pressure product) to myocardial oxygen consumption (RPP/MVO2). Under basal conditions, immature hearts displayed lower aortic pressure. RPP, coronary resistance and RPP/MVO2. Moderate hypoxia (60% O2) resulted in similar reductions in RPP and MVO2 in both age groups, with RPP/MVO2 remaining unchanged. During severe hypoxia, RPP/MVO2 increased significantly in mature hearts but not in immature hearts (P < 0.05). Underperfusion produced greater reductions in RPP and heart rate, whereas reperfusion after ischemia resulted in greater recovery of RPP, dP/dt and MVO2 in immature compared to mature hearts. When oxygen supply was limited by reductions in coronary perfusion. RPP/MVO2 tended to increase in mature hearts, whereas the ratio declined significantly in immature hearts. These data demonstrate that, in this model, a reduction in oxygen supply by hypoxia or hypoperfusion decreases efficiency in immature hearts, but increases efficiency in mature hearts under the same conditions.

Animals

Inhibition of adenosine metabolism increases myocardial interstitial adenosine concentrations and coronary flow.

We employed an isolated guinea-pig heart model perfused at constant pressure (70 cmH2O) to test the hypothesis that inhibition of adenosine metabolism increases interstitial adenosine concentrations (as measured with epicardial discs) and coronary flow. Iodotubercidin (ITU, 1 microM) and EHNA (erythro-9-[2-hydroxy-3-nonyl] adenine, 5 microM) were used to inhibit adenosine kinase and deaminase, respectively during control conditions and during metabolic stimulation with 1 microM isoproterenol. The adenosine receptor blocker 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) was used during control conditions to assess whether the response seen was adenosine specific. ITU plus EHNA decreased heart rate (202 +/- 10 to 136 +/- 11 beats/min) and increased coronary flow (8.2 +/- 0.3 to 12.4 +/- 0.9 ml/min/g) without a change in MVO2, developed pressure or dP/dt. ITU plus EHNA increased adenosine concentrations in epicardial fluid (0.24 +/- 0.07 microM to 1.02 +/- 0.09 microM) and venous effluent (40 +/- 3 nM to 262 +/- 32 nM) during control conditions, and adenosine release increased from 389 +/- 96 pmols/min/g to 3480 +/- 365 pmols/min/g. 8-PT infusion reversed the effects on heart rate and coronary flow and resulted in a persistent elevation of epicardial fluid adenosine concentrations. During metabolic stimulation with 1 microM isoproterenol, ITU plus EHNA significantly limited the increase in heart rate and ventricular developed pressure and dP/dt while coronary flow increased to a significantly greater extent. Myocardial oxygen consumption was similar during metabolic stimulation between the two groups (vehicle vs. ITU plus EHNA). Epicardial fluid adenosine concentration in the vehicle-treated group increased from 0.17 +/- 0.3 microM to 0.34 +/- 0.02 microM at 15 min of isoproterenol stimulation whereas it increased from 1.10 +/- 0.02 microM to 2.90 +/- 0.46 microM in the ITU plus EHNA-treated group. Inhibition of adenosine metabolism during metabolic stimulation significantly increased venous adenosine concentrations and adenosine release and reduced inosine and hypoxanthine release proportionately. The release of adenosine+inosine+hypoxanthine was unchanged. Inhibition of adenosine metabolism provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that adenosine plays a role in regulating coronary vascular resistance as well as influencing heart rate and ventricular inotropy.

Adenine

Myocardial adenosine formation during hypoxia: effects of ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibition.

Release of adenosine and AMP into epicardial fluid and coronary venous effluent of isovolumic guinea-pig hearts was examined during normoxic (95% O2) and hypoxic (30% O2) perfusion with and without the ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor alpha,beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate (AOPCP)*. Normoxic epicardial and venous adenosine levels were 221 +/- 27 and 67 +/- 11 nM, respectively, in untreated hearts. During 15 min of hypoxia, epicardial and venous adenosine levels increased in a phasic manner, reaching maximal values of 498 +/- 32 and 441 +/- 43 nM, respectively, during the initial 5 min of hypoxia. Epicardial and venous adenosine levels then declined slightly during the subsequent 10 min to 332 +/- 33 and 224 +/- 34 nM, respectively. Infusion of 50 microM AOPCP significantly reduced venous adenosine levels during normoxia (less than 50% of control), but was without effect on normoxic epicardial adenosine. Epicardial and venous adenosine levels increased during hypoxia with AOPCP but the increases were lower than those for untreated hypoxic hearts. Epicardial and venous adenosine levels recovered to baseline levels following 30 min of reoxygenation in both groups. Epicardial and venous AMP levels were elevated by AOPCP treatment during normoxia and hypoxia. Coronary vascular resistance decreased during hypoxia but the decline in resistance was less in AOPCP treated hearts. It is concluded that whereas basal interstitial adenosine levels appear to be independent of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity, the hypoxic increase in interstitial adenosine is partially derived from an AOPCP sensitive ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Venous adenosine appears to be significantly dependent on ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity during normoxia and hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5'-Nucleotidase

Heterogeneity and sampling volume dependence of epicardial adenosine concentrations.

Rapid steady-state estimates of interstitial fluid (ISF) adenosine concentrations (ADOi) in the left ventricular epicardium of anesthetized dogs were obtained by the epicardial porous disc (EPD) method described herein. Because of the high temporal and spatial resolution of this method, it was ideally suited to test the hypothesis that ADOi may vary in these domains. Variance in steady-state EPD solute concentrations was quantified statistically by the coefficient of variation (CV = standard deviation/mean), which we used as an index of heterogeneity. A significant temporal variation in steady-state EPD adenosine concentrations was observed when samples were sequentially collected from one epicardial location (CV = 42.9 +/- 3.5%). When steady-state sample pairs (n = 45) were collected simultaneously from two distinct epicardial locations, a 2.6 +/- 0.3-fold mean difference in their respective adenosine concentrations was measured. About 25% of this variation was inherent in procedural methodology, based on the variability of steady-state EPD concentrations of extracellularly-equilibrated 14C sucrose (CV = 12.7 +/- 1.2%) and the variability of steady-state concentrations of both solutes measured using in vitro preparations (mean CV = 9.7 +/- 1.2%). Thus, we contend that endogenous myocardial ISF adenosine is temporally and perhaps spatially heterogeneous. Our estimates of steady-state ADOi obtained with the EPD method ranged from 0.47 to 0.99 microM. Using modifications of the EPD technique and the epicardial chamber, we also demonstrated that the adenosine concentration in 'steady-state' epicardial samples is reduced when the volume/surface area ratio of the sample buffer is increased. We hypothesize that sampling-induced decreases in steady-state ADOi underlie these observations, because losses of ISF adenosine to high volumes of sample buffer can be greater than the myocardial cells are capable of replacing. However, with the very low volume/surface area ratio of a single EPD (7.5 microliters/cm2), steady-state ADOi may remain constant during sampling, allowing for accurate determinations of ADOi with this method.

Adenosine

Sciatic nerve stimulation does not increase endogenous adenosine production in sensory-motor cortex.

Adenosine participates in the coupling of cerebral blood flow to oxygen consumption in the brain during such stimuli as hypoxia, ischemia, and seizures. It has been suggested that it also participates in the regulation of cerebral blood flow during somatosensory stimulation, a condition during which cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption appear to be uncoupled. Interstitial adenosine was estimated by the microdialysis technique and cerebral blood flow was measured by hydrogen clearance in the hindlimb sensory-motor cortex during sciatic nerve stimulation. Cerebral blood flow increased from 102 to 188 ml min-1 100 g-1 (p less than 0.001) in the cortex contralateral to the stimulated leg without an associated increase in interstitial adenosine (baseline 0.624 microM, stimulation 0.583 microM). Infusion of the adenosine antagonist 8-sulfophenyltheophylline failed to block an increase in cerebral blood flow during central sciatic nerve stimulation, but decreased basal cerebral blood flow (69 ml min-1 100 g-1). These results suggest that adenosine does not mediate changes in cerebral blood flow during somatosensory stimulation, but may participate in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the basal state.

Adenosine

Effect of adenosine deaminase on cardiac interstitial adenosine.

Adenosine deaminase was infused into isolated perfused guinea pig hearts to determine its effect on myocardial adenosine levels. The enzyme was administered during constant coronary flow perfusion at 6.11 +/- 0.36 ml.min-1.g-1. Venous adenosine was measured in samples of pulmonary artery effluent; epicardial and endocardial adenosine were measured with the porous nylon disk technique. Infusion of adenosine deaminase at 2.4 and 4.8 U/ml produced adenosine deaminase activity of 0.92 +/- 0.09 and 2.33 +/- 0.15 U/ml, respectively, in epicardial fluid and 1.93 +/- 0.28 and 4.84 +/- 0.47 U/ml, respectively, in endocardial fluid. Aortic pressure was unchanged by infusion of adenosine deaminase at both infusion rates. Adenosine deaminase (data from both infusion rates pooled) reduced epicardial adenosine from 0.327 +/- 0.028 to 0.139 +/- 0.022 microM, endocardial adenosine from 4.61 +/- 0.42 to 1.64 +/- 0.20 microM, and venous adenosine from 0.017 +/- 0.02 to 0.003 +/- 0.001 microM. The data indicate that infused adenosine deaminase reaches the epicardial and endocardial interstitial fluid (ISF) compartments. The absence of any effect on coronary pressure suggests that adenosine may not be involved in resting basal coronary tone. The presence of significant residual adenosine despite adenosine deaminase infusion indicates that adenosine production in the unstressed isolated guinea pig heart exceeds the degradative capacity of infused adenosine deaminase. Previous studies in which it was assumed that almost all of the endogenous adenosine is inactivated by the infusion of adenosine deaminase should be reevaluated in light of these observations.

Adenosine

Relative responses to luminal and adventitial adenosine in perfused arteries.

Responses to luminal and adventitial adenosine were compared in perfused rabbit central ear arteries. Perfused arteries precontracted with 0.5 microM norepinephrine relaxed dose dependently but asymmetrically to luminal and adventitial adenosine. Arteries were more responsive to luminal adenosine in the 0.1- to 1.0-microM range, but they were more responsive to adventitial adenosine at doses > 10 microM. Alternatively, 2-chloroadenosine, a metabolically stable and poorly transported analogue, was equipotent when applied luminally or adventitially. Endothelial damage reduced sensitivity and response asymmetry to luminal and adventitial adenosine. This was consistent with reduced responses to adenosine in luminally rubbed arterial ring segments. Transport inhibition (10 microM dipyridamole) enhanced arterial reactivity to luminal and adventitial adenosine and reduced response asymmetry but was without effect on responses to 2-chloroadenosine. A comparison of the inhibitory effectiveness of adventitial and luminal 8-phenyltheophylline revealed that adventitial antagonist was approximately threefold more effective in inhibiting responses to adventitial adenosine than luminal antagonist (P < 0.05). This "side-dependent" difference was reduced by prolonged antagonist incubation or endothelial removal. The data indicate that adenosine relaxes ear arteries by activation of smooth muscle [half-maximum effective concentration (ED50) approximately 11 microM] and endothelial (ED50 approximately 2 microM) receptors. Nevertheless, a sensitive endothelial-dependent response does not consistently enhance responses to luminal adenosine in perfused arteries. This appears to be attributable to relative differences in the smooth muscle and endothelium-dependent components of the dilator response and transvascular concentration gradients for luminally and adventitially applied adenosine. A transendothelial diffusion barrier also reduces the ability of luminally applied antagonists to inhibit responses to adventitial adenosine.

2-Chloroadenosine

Protective effects of adenosine in myocardial ischemia.

Adenosine is released from the myocardium in response to a decrease in the oxygen supply/demand ratio, as is seen in myocardial ischemia; its protective role is manifested by coronary and collateral vessel vasodilation that increase oxygen supply and by multiple effects that act in concert to decrease myocardial oxygen demand (i.e., negative inotropism, chronotropism, and dromotropism). During periods of oxygen deprivation, adenosine enhances energy production via increased glycolytic flux and can act as a substrate for purine salvage to restore cellular energy charge during reperfusion. Adenosine limits the degree of vascular injury during ischemia and reperfusion by inhibition of oxygen radical release from activated neutrophils, thereby preventing endothelial cell damage, and by inhibition of platelet aggregation. These effects help to preserve endothelial cell function and microvascular perfusion. Long-term exposure to adenosine may also induce coronary angiogenesis.

Adenosine

Transmural distribution of extracellular purines in isolated guinea pig heart.

The purine adenosine appears to be involved in regulation of coronary vascular tone. Little is known concerning the levels and distribution of adenosine and related purines in the extracellular fluid of the heart. We have measured epicardial and endocardial levels of adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, AMP, and IMP in isolated constant flow perfused guinea pig hearts by using a recently developed technique with porous nylon sampling discs. Venous effluent purine levels were also measured. Concentrations of all purines measured, excluding IMP, were significantly higher in endocardial fluid samples than in epicardial fluid samples (P less than 0.05). Conversely, IMP levels were significantly lower in endocardial than in epicardial samples. The magnitude of the endocardial/epicardial ratios for adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, AMP, and IMP were approximately 12:1, 4:1, 5:1, 4:1, and 1:2, respectively. To assess cellular damage, lactate dehydrogenase activity was measured in all fluid samples and was not significantly different in endocardial and epicardial fluid. These data support the existence of significant transmural gradients for extracellular purine levels in crystalloid perfused guinea pig hearts. Transmural differences in vasoactive adenosine levels may be partially due to the greater endocardial oxygen consumption and metabolism and may be involved in maintaining relatively high subendocardial blood flows in the face of high intramyocardial pressures.

Adenosine

Effects of graded perfusion and isovolumic work on epicardial and venous adenosine and cytosolic metabolism.

Epicardial adenosine levels and venous adenosine release were measured in isovolumically contracting (ISO) and empty non-isovolumic (non-ISO) guinea-pig hearts subjected to graded perfusion (approximately 7.5, 5.5, 4.0, 2.0, and 1.0 ml/min/g). Myocardial metabolism was monitored using 31P-NMR spectroscopy. At flows of 5.5 ml/min/g or higher epicardial adenosine levels were stable and comparable in ISO and non-ISO hearts (approximately 160 nM). At flows of 4.0 ml/min/g or higher venous adenosine release was stable and comparable in ISO and non-ISO hearts (approximately 30 pmol/min/g). At lower flows, epicardial adenosine and venous adenosine release both increased and were significantly higher in ISO hearts, compared to non-ISO hearts, at each flow rate. Whereas epicardial adenosine increased linearly in ISO and non-ISO hearts at low flows, venous adenosine release stabilized in ISO hearts perfused at 1.0 ml/min/g. Epicardial adenosine, venous adenosine release, and log [ATP]/[ADP] [Pi] all displayed significant correlations with the O2 supply:demand ratio which were comparable in ISO and non-ISO hearts. Elevated levels of epicardial adenosine were linearly related to log [ATP]/[ADP] [Pi] and cytosolic [AMP] and these relationships were comparable in ISO and non-ISO hearts. Alternatively, changes in venous adenosine release did not display simple relationships with log [ATP]/[ADP] [Pi] and cytosolic [AMP] and they were not comparable in ISO and non-ISO hearts. The data indicate that: (i) myocardial adenosine formation increases only below a metabolic threshold corresponding to log [ATP]/[ADP] [Pi] = 5.0 and O2 supply:demand = 1.5 in ISO and non-ISO guinea-pig hearts; (ii) stimulated epicardial adenosine levels appear to be consistently related to changes in cytosolic metabolism below this threshold in ISO and non-ISO hearts; (iii) more complex relationships exist between venous adenosine release and myocardial metabolism during graded perfusion, possibly reflecting the variety of factors modulating venous adenosine release.

Adenosine

Metabolic correlates of adenosine formation in stimulated guinea pig heart.

Adenosine release into epicardial fluid and coronary effluent of isolated isovolumic guinea pig hearts was examined at baseline and after stimulation with norepinephrine (30 nM) during 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor myocardial metabolism. At baseline flow (9.6 +/- 0.3 ml.min-1.g-1), epicardial and venous adenosine concentrations were 154 +/- 40 and 17 +/- 5 nM, respectively. The phosphorylation potential (log[ATP]/[ADP][Pi]) and the phosphocreatine-inorganic phosphate ratio ([PCr]/[Pi]) were 5.26 +/- 0.04 and 8.5 +/- 0.7, respectively. Norepinephrine increased left ventricular pressure, heart rate, and myocardial O2 consumption rate by approximately 21, 70, and 45%, respectively, and increased epicardial and venous adenosine to 496 +/- 74 and 461 +/- 94 nM, respectively. Log-[ATP]/[ADP][Pi] and [PCr]/[Pi] declined to 4.57 +/- 0.06 and 1.9 +/- 0.3, respectively. Epicardial [AMP] increased from 54 +/- 13 to 123 +/- 24 nM. AMP was not detectable in the venous effluent. Coronary resistance correlated with epicardial and venous [adenosine] (r = 0.86 and 0.90). Epicardial and venous [adenosine] correlated with log[ATP]/[ADP][Pi], [PCr]/[Pi], and cytosolic [AMP]. Hence, interstitial adenosine is linked to cytosolic metabolism and may regulate coronary vascular resistance. Venous adenosine underestimates epicardial adenosine at baseline but more closely approximates epicardial adenosine during norepinephrine infusion.

Adenosine

Adenosine antagonism decreases metabolic but not functional recovery from ischemia.

The effect of adenosine receptor antagonism on function and metabolism was examined in isolated hearts during low flow ischemia and reperfusion. Isovolumic rat hearts perfused at constant flow were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Infusion of vehicle or 10 microM 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) was initiated 10 min before ischemia and maintained throughout reperfusion. 8-PT infusion had no significant effects on hemodynamic parameters or metabolism preischemia. During ischemia, left ventricular developed pressure declined to approximately 15% of preischemic values in control and 8-PT hearts, and ATP and PCr decreased to approximately 73 and 60% of preischemic values. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) increased to 353 = 41 and 424 +/- 53% of preischemic values in control and 8-PT hearts, respectively. After reperfusion, function recovered to greater than 95% of preischemic levels in control and 8-PT hearts. Unlike control hearts, recovery of metabolites was significantly different during reperfusion in 8-PT hearts (P less than 0.05); ATP, phosphocreatine, and Pi recovered to 82 +/- 8, 71 +/- 8, and 281 +/- 27% of preischemic values, respectively. Venous purine washout was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) during reperfusion in 8-PT hearts (327 +/- 113 nmol) than in control hearts (127 +/- 28 nmol). Blockade of adenosine receptors appears to adversely affect metabolic but not functional recovery in the ischemic-reperfused myocardium.

Adenosine

Endothelial-dependent and -independent responses in the thoracic aorta during endotoxic shock.

Endotoxic shock is characterized by a variety of hemodynamic disturbances which result in tissue hypoperfusion. There is some evidence for endothelial damage caused by endotoxin. The present study addressed the hypothesis that vascular responsiveness to endothelial-dependent vasodilators is altered in endotoxic shock. Dose-response relationships for an endothelial-dependent vasodilator, acetylcholine, and an endothelial-independent vasodilator, adenosine, were determined in guinea pig aortic rings. Rings were examined from either control (untreated) animals or from animals given Escherichia coli endotoxin (4 mg/kg, i.p.) 16 hr prior to functional studies. Dose-response relationships to adenosine were similar in aortic rings from control and shocked animals. However, response to acetylcholine were attenuated by 30% (P less than .05) in the shocked group. To distinguish between a direct, acute effect of endotoxin versus effects produced by systemic changes that occur during shock, rings were isolated from untreated animals and incubated with endotoxin in vitro for 30 min prior to and during dose-response measurements. Incubation with endotoxin caused no change in aortic responses to adenosine or acetylcholine. Electron microscopy revealed a separation of the endothelium from the internal elastic lamina and an increase in inter-endothelial gaps in rings isolated from shocked animals. These structural changes were not observed in rings from untreated animals or in rings incubated with endotoxin in vitro. We conclude that endothelial-dependent vasodilation is attenuated during endotoxic shock. The functional changes are correlated with ultrastructural alterations of the endothelium.

Acetylcholine

Time-dependent effects of theophylline on myocardial reactive hyperaemias in the anaesthetized dog.

1. The effects of a loading dose of theophylline (5 mg kg-1 i.v.) on the hyperaemias resulting from short-term (15 and 30 s) interruptions in coronary blood flow and intracoronary adenosine were studied at given intervals over a 2 h period in the anaesthetized dog. 2. These hyperaemic responses were affected differently by theophylline and each effect was time-dependent. The reactive hyperaemic response progressively decreased after drug delivery, reaching 46% of control at 2 h. In contrast, after a maximal attenuation to 23% of control 5 min after theophylline, the hyperaemia resulting from intracoronary adenosine progressively increased over the same period, reaching 64% of control 2 h after the loading dose. 3. Two-compartment model results based on plasma theophylline measurements and the time course of theophylline accumulation in pericardial infusates, suggested that complete drug distribution throughout the heart may require at least 20 min following a single intravenous dose. 4. If it is assumed that theophylline blocks coronary vascular adenosine receptors, these pharmacokinetics are consistent with the time-dependent pattern of response attenuation we observed for the adenosine-induced hyperaemias, but they cannot entirely explain the pattern of response attenuation observed for the occlusion-induced hyperaemias. The continued increase in attenuation of this response after complete drug distribution suggests an additional pharmacodynamic action of theophylline. 5. We conclude that a single therapeutic dose of theophylline results in distinct time-dependent pharmacological effects with respect to the ability of the coronary vasculature to dilate in response to temporary interruptions in oxygen supply and in response to exogenously administered adenosine. These effects deserve consideration in both experimental studies in which adenosine antagonists are used to assess adenosine action in vivo, and in clinical practice where theophylline pharmacotherapy for pulmonary disorders is commonplace.

Adenosine

Endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations to adenosine in guinea pig aorta.

Effects of endothelial removal and hypoxia on responses to adenosine, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA), 2-chloroadenosine, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), sodium nitroprusside, and acetylcholine were examined in guinea pig aortic rings. Rings contracted with 2 microM prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) relaxed in a dose-dependent manner in response to all drugs. The order of potency of adenosine compounds was NECA greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than CHA. Endothelial rubbing potentiated the PGF2 alpha response by 11 +/- 3%, eliminated the acetylcholine (ACh) response, but had no effect on nitroprusside and CHA responses. Responses to adenosine, NECA, and 2-chloroadenosine were significantly depressed by rubbing (P less than 0.05). Oxyhemoglobin (5 microM) and metyrapone (0.1 mM) reduced ACh responses in intact rings but had no effect on the adenosine and nitroprusside responses. Indomethacin treatment (10 microM) did not alter ACh, nitroprusside, or adenosine responses in intact rings. Hypoxia (10% O2) potentiated maximal responses to adenosine (+26 +/- 3%) and nitroprusside (+28 +/- 4%) in intact and rubbed rings and reduced the maximal response to ACh in intact rings (-28 +/- 3%). It is concluded that 1) adenosine mediates relaxation in guinea pig aorta by endothelial-dependent and -independent mechanisms, 2) receptors involved in both endothelial-dependent and -independent relaxations are characteristic of the A2 adenosine subtype, 3) the endothelial response appears unrelated to EDRF or prostanoid release, and 4) the adenosine response is significantly potentiated by hypoxia.

Adenosine

Interstitial adenosine in guinea pig hearts: an index obtained by epicardial disks.

Epicardial porous disks were used to estimate left ventricular interstitial fluid adenosine in the isolated guinea pig heart perfused at constant flow. To validate this technique, adenosine was infused with 0.5 microM dipyridamole and 5 microM erythro-4-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydrochloride (EHNA) to inhibit adenosine uptake and deamination, respectively. Under these conditions, with 6 or 12 microM adenosine in the arterial infusate, the venous and steady-state left ventricular disk adenosine values equaled those of the perfusion fluid, reflecting the expected equilibration between vascular and left ventricular interstitial fluid (disk) compartments. The concentration of endogenous adenosine in the interstitial fluid as estimated by the epicardial disks under control conditions was 0.28 +/- 0.03 microM with a concomitant coronary sinus concentration of 0.004 +/- 0.001 microM. We conclude that a marked adenosine gradient exists between the interstitial fluid and the vascular space and that disk adenosine measurements provide a useful index of left ventricular interstitial fluid adenosine.

Adenosine

Ontogeny of adenosine response in guinea pig heart and aorta.

Effects of maturation on the responses of isolated perfused hearts and aortic rings to adenosine were examined. Dose-response relationships for adenosine were obtained in aortic rings and hearts isolated from immature (5 days) and mature (1-2 mo) guinea pigs. Immature and mature hearts were perfused at constant flows of 9.9 +/- 0.3 and 9.5 +/- 0.4 ml.min-1.g-1, respectively, and displayed basal resistances of 4.8 +/- 0.1 and 6.7 +/- 0.2 mmHg.ml-1.min.g. Immature hearts were more sensitive to exogenous adenosine, displaying a significantly lower 50% effective concentration (EC50, 2.5 x 10(-8) M) than mature hearts (1.1 x 10(-7) M, P less than 0.05). Adenosine induced dilation at a lower threshold dose in immature hearts (3 x 10(-9) M, 6.0 +/- 0.3% relaxation) than in mature hearts (10(-8) M, 3.1 +/- 1.3% relaxation). The time required to elicit 50% of the observed dilation was similar in immature and mature hearts, yet the time required for basal tone to recover by 50% was approximately 100% greater in immature hearts (P less than 0.05). Immature aortic rings, stretched to their optimal resting tensions and contracted with EC85 doses of prostaglandin F2 alpha, displayed a significantly lower EC50 (7.7 x 10(-5) M) than mature rings (1.1 x 10(-4) M, P less than 0.05). The maximum percent response to adenosine was greater in immature vessels (64 +/- 1 vs. 54 +/- 0.4%, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine