Cardiovascular effects of nitric oxide and adenosine in the nucleus tractus solitarii of rats

It has been shown that nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in the central nervous system as well as in vascular endothelial cells. We recently reported that NO was involved in central cardiovascular regulation, modulated the baroreflex, and was involved in a reciprocal release with excitatory amino acids in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of rats. We also reported previously that adenosine increased the release of glutamate in the NTS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible interaction of NO and adenosine in the NTS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and blood pressure was monitored intra-arterially. Unilateral microinjection of L-arginine (3.3 nmol/60 nL) into the NTS produced decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. Microinjection of adenosine (2.3 nmol/60 nL) also produced depressive and bradycardic effects. These cardiovascular effects were attenuated by prior administration of the specific adenosine receptor antagonist DPSPX (0.92 nmol). Similarly, prior administration of NO synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester significantly attenuated the depressive and bradycardic effects of adenosine. These results demonstrate a reciprocal attenuation of adenosine receptor antagonist and NO synthase inhibitor on L-arginine and adenosine responses, respectively, in the NTS and implicate an interaction between NO and adenosine in central cardiovascular regulation.     

Primary structure of bovine adenosine deaminase

Derivatized bovine adenosine deaminase is used in enzyme replacement therapy and as an adjunct to gene therapy against severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome. Although a gene sequence is known for human adenosine deaminase, the structure of the bovine enzyme has not been characterized. Structure studies using mass spectrometry are reported here that evaluate sequence, processing, post-translational modifications and the extent of homology between the human protein and its therapeutic surrogate.     

Photoaging and tretinoin

BACKGROUND: Adenosine is a potent vasodilator of vascular smooth muscle. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) elicits vasodilation. We have previously reported that adenosine stimulates the production of NO from porcine carotid arterial endothelial cells (PCAEC) via a receptor-mediated mechanism. This study was to determine whether adenosine also enhances NO production from human arterial endothelium and to define the involvement of adenosine A1 and A2 receptors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human iliac arterial endothelial cells (HIAEC) and PCAEC were harvested and cultured in dishes. NO production was evaluated with a NO electrode sensor which measured continuously real-time NO production. RESULTS: NO content of the medium bathing HIAEC and PCAEC was significantly increased with adenosine (100 micromol/L). Ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), a nonselective adenosine receptor agonist, and carboxyethyl-phenethylamino-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS-21680), a selective adenosine A2a receptor agonist, increased NO production by HIAEC and PCAEC with respective EC50 values of 3.32 and 6.96 nmol/L for NECA and 30.97 and 29.47 nmol/L for CGS-21680. Chlorofuryl-triazolo-quinazolinamine (CGS-15943; 1 micromol/L), an adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonist, and aminofuryltriazolotriazinyl-aminoethylphenol (ZM-241385; 1 micromol/L), a selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, inhibited the effect of CGS-21680. Chlorocyclopentyl-adenosine (CCPA; 1 micromol/L), an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, significantly depressed NO production by both HIAEC and PCAEC: This effect was inhibited by cyclopentyl-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that adenosine A2a receptors increase, and adenosine A1 receptors decrease, the production of NO by human and porcine arterial endothelial cells.     

Global disparities in health and human rights: a critical commentary

We and others have shown that an increased extracellular concentration of adenosine mediates the antiinflammatory effects of methotrexate and sulfasalazine both in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanism by which these drugs increase extracellular adenosine remains unclear. The results of the experiments reported here provide three distinct lines of evidence that adenosine results from the ecto-5'-nucleotidase- mediated conversion of adenine nucleotides to adenosine. First, pretreatment of a human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) with methotrexate increases extracellular adenosine after exposure of the pretreated cells to activated neutrophils; the ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor alpha, beta-methylene adenosine-5'-diphosphate (APCP) abrogates completely the increase in extracellular adenosine. Second, there is no methotrexate-mediated increase in extracellular adenosine concentration in the supernate of cells deficient in ecto-5'-nucleotidase, but there is a marked increase in extracellular adenosine concentration in the supernates of these cells after transfection and surface expression of the enzyme. Finally, as we have shown previously, adenosine mediates the antiinflammatory effects of methotrexate and sulfasalazine in the murine air pouch model of inflammation, and injection of APCP, the ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor, abrogates completely the increase in adenosine and the decrement in inflammation in this in vivo model. These results not only show that ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity is a critical mediator of methotrexate- and sulfasalazine-induced antiinflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo but also indicate that adenine nucleotides, released from cells, are the source of extracellular adenosine.     

Adenosine: a mediator of the sleep-inducing effects of prolonged wakefulness

Both subjective and electroencephalographic arousal diminish as a function of the duration of prior wakefulness. Data reported here suggest that the major criteria for a neural sleep factor mediating the somnogenic effects of prolonged wakefulness are satisfied by adenosine, a neuromodulator whose extracellular concentration increases with brain metabolism and which, in vitro, inhibits basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. In vivo microdialysis measurements in freely behaving cats showed that adenosine extracellular concentrations in the basal forebrain cholinergic region increased during spontaneous wakefulness as contrasted with slow wave sleep; exhibited progressive increases during sustained, prolonged wakefulness; and declined slowly during recovery sleep. Furthermore, the sleep-wakefulness profile occurring after prolonged wakefulness was mimicked by increased extracellular adenosine induced by microdialysis perfusion of an adenosine transport inhibitor in the cholinergic basal forebrain but not by perfusion in a control noncholinergic region.     

Pharmacological characterization of the rat A2a adenosine receptor functionally coupled to the yeast pheromone response pathway

The rat A2a adenosine receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor, was functionally expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. High affinity binding sites for A2a adenosine agonists were detected in yeast membranes containing the endogenous Grx protein Gpa1. Agonist saturation binding isotherms using [3H]5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine indicated that the A2a adenosine receptor expressed in yeast cell membranes displays pharmacological properties equivalent to those observed when the receptor is expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cell membranes. The rank order of potency of various agonists in [3H]5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine competition binding assays performed with yeast cell membranes was comparable to that seen for the receptor expressed in mammalian cell membranes. Adenosine agonist-dependent growth response of yeast strains expressing the A2a adenosine receptor was elicited via activation of the yeast pheromone-response pathway. Induction of a pheromone-responsive FUS1-HIS3 reporter gene in far1 his3 cells permits cell growth in medium lacking histidine. The sensitivity of the bioassay was increased by deletion of the STE2 gene, which encodes the yeast alpha-mating pheromone receptor. The growth response was dose dependent, and agonists of varying affinities displayed a rank order of potency comparable to that observed in competition binding assays. Agonist-activated growth assays performed in liquid culture gave ED50 values for various adenosine agonists consistent with reported Kd alpha values. Yeast strains expressing a single receptor/G protein complex will be useful as a model system for the study of receptor/G protein interactions in vivo.     

Role of Agrobacterium virB genes in transfer of T complexes and RSF1010

To elucidate further the roles played by the adenine bases in the interaction of RNase L (EC 3.1.2.6) with the 2',5'-oligoadenylate 2-5A, p5'A2'(p5'A2')np5' A, a series of sequence-specific 1-deazaadenosine (c1A)-substituted analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to bind to and activate human RNase L in comparison to earlier reported inosine-substituted congeners of 2-5A. Substitution of only the 5'-terminal adenosine of p5'A2'p5'A2 p5 A with c1A afforded an analogue with strongly diminished RNase L binding and activation ability, while replacement of the second or middle adenosine of p5 A2' p5'A2'p5' A had only a modest effect. In distinct contrast to p5'A2'p5'A2'p5'I, the c1A analogue with the third or 2'-terminal adenosine replacement approached parent p5' A2'p5'A2'p5' A in RNase L activation ability. These results permitted a further dissection of the role of various nucleotidic functional groups in the interaction of 2-5A with RNase L: specifically, that the 5'-terminal adenosine purine N-1 moiety is key for binding to RNase L, while the 2'-terminal adenosine N-6 exocyclic amino group is critical for RNase L activation.     

Effect of ethanol on human placental transport and metabolism of adenosine

It has been suggested that adenosine is involved in the acute effects of ethanol in a number of tissues. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of adenosine on the vascular responses of perfused isolated human placental cotyledons after the acute administration of ethanol. The possibility that ethanol may effect the uptake and metabolism adenosine was also investigated. Uptake of adenosine was studied using the single-circulation paired-tracer dilution technique. Both adenosine and ethanol caused a dose-related increase in perfusion pressure of placental lobules. Pharmacologically relevant concentrations of ethanol (10-65 mM) significantly inhibited the uptake of [3H]adenosine between 25 and 50 per cent. Thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the perfusate after the administration of ethanol showed in a 17.9 +/- 0.6 per cent reduction of [3H]adenosine metabolism. These findings support the working hypothesis that placental adenosine, at least partially, mediates the placental disturbance elicited by the administration of acute ethanol, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol syndrome.     

Enzymatic properties of the unnatural beta-L-enantiomers of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine

The beta-L-enantiomers of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine have been stereospecifically synthesized. In an attempt to explain the previously reported antiviral activities of these compounds, their enzymatic properties were studied with respect to adenosine kinase, deoxycytidine kinase, adenosine deaminase, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Adenosine deaminase was strictly enantioselective and favored beta-D-ddA and beta-D-d4A, whereas adenosine kinase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase had no apparent substrate properties for the D- or L-enantiomers of beta-ddA or beta-d4A. Human deoxycytidine kinase showed a remarkable inversion of the expected enantioselectivity, with beta-L-ddA and beta-L-d4A having better substrate efficiencies than their corresponding beta-D-enantiomers. Our results demonstrate the potential of beta-L-adenosine analogues as antiviral agents and suggest that deoxycytidine kinase has a strategic importance in their cellular activation.     

A study of adenosine treatment in experimental acute spinal cord injury. Effect on arachidonic acid metabolites

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, blinded experimental trauma study. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The effect of adenosine on arachidonic acid metabolites and lipid peroxidation was investigated in induced spinal cord injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Effects of adenosine in ischemia-reperfusion models have been studied, but no studies of adenosine's effect on direct trauma to the spinal cord have been reported. METHODS: Thirty-seven adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups and underwent laminectomy. Group 1 underwent a sham operation. Group 2 received an intravenous adenosine infusion of 100 micrograms/kg per minute for 30 minutes. In Group 3, a standard spinal cord trauma of 50 g.cm strength was established at the lower thoracic level with a "weight-drop" technique, and Group 4 received an infusion of adenosine (100 micrograms/kg per minute) for 30 minutes after the trauma. RESULTS: Tissue prostaglandin E2 activity was significantly higher in adenosine-treated trauma groups when compared with that in other groups (P < 0.0001). The difference in tissue leukotriene C4 activity between control and trauma groups was significant (P < 0.05). Adenosine infusion after trauma limited the increases in lipid peroxidation, with the difference approaching significance at P = 0.06. The structure of myelin was well preserved in the adenosine-treated trauma group. However, the changes were irreversible in severely damaged areas. CONCLUSION: After acute spinal cord trauma, intravenous adenosine infusion of 100 micrograms/kg per minute could attenuate progression to secondary injury, but adenosine alone was not effective yet.     

Acute renal failure in theophylline poisoning

A 57-yr-old woman with an intentional theophylline overdose complicated by rhabdomyolysis, renal failure and microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia is reported. Severe renal vasoconstriction, myoglobinuria and antagonism of adenosine are considered to be the principal pathophysiological renal mechanisms involved.     

Computer-assisted analysis of adenosine triphosphate data

A computer program has been written to assist in the analysis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate data. The program is designed to calculate a dilution curve and to correct sample and adenosine 5'-triphosphate standard data for background and dilution effects. In addition, basic statistical parameters and estimates of biomass carbon are also calculated for each group of samples and printed in a convenient format. The versatility of the program to analyze data from both qauatic and terrestrial samples is noted as well as its potential use with various types of instrumentation and extraction techniques.     

Dual-mode cooperative binding of adenosine 5'-triphosphate to poly(L-lysine)

Equilibrium dialysis of adenosine triphosphate interacting with polylysine at low polymer concentration yield Scatchard exhibiting an apparent non-cooperative binding mode superimposed on a positively cooperative one. The same behavior has been reported in the literature for various mononucleotides and basic poly(amino acids). It is pointed out here that both modes must not be considered as independent but to be mutually exclusive. Applying a pertinent theoretical approach yields higher degrees of cooperativity than obtained for mutual independence. Another necessary modification in the analysis of data takes into account that one ligand interacts with more than one equivalent binding contact (i.e., an elementary charge here). This leads to a further enhancement of the actual cooperativity. Increasing the polymer concentration in the binding experiments reveals a cooperative effect also in the first binding mode. This is physically interpreted and theoretically analyzed in terms of bound dimers stabilized by base stacking.     

Medicolegal aspects of athletic cervical spine injury

Here we describe properties of the P2-purinoceptor, which is involved in the regulation of the key enzyme of estrogen biosynthesis, aromatase cytochrome P-450, in stromal cells from human adipose tissue. Aromatase activity induced by cortisol and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) is further increased by addition of ATP, ADP, AMP and, albeit with reduced potency, adenosine, GTP and adenosine(5')tetraphospho(5') adenosine. Stable P1-purinoceptor agonists are inactive, whereas P2X-purinoceptor agonists mimic the effects of purine(s) (nucleotides). Prior incubation of cells with a P2-purinoceptor antagonist, but not P1-purinoceptor antagonists, blocks augmentation of aromatase activity by all ligands. Nucleotides, but not adenosine, retain their ability to augment aromatase activity in the presence of adenosine deaminase, indicating that they do not act via their metabolite adenosine. These results lead to the conclusion, that at least one member of the P2-subclass of purinoceptors exists in adipose tissue and is involved in modulation of aromatase activity in vitro. The pharmacological profile of the P2-site differs from those reported for cloned P2-purinoceptors, but is similar to that of the P2X-subclass. Therefore, a combined response of different members of the P2X-purinoceptor subclass or of members of different P2-purinoceptor subclasses cannot be discounted. Purinoceptor activation triggers cytoplasmic calcium transients, which, in contrast to aromatase induction, are independent from the presence of cortisol and PDGF-BB. Therefore the involved P2-purinoceptor(s) seem(s) to be constitutively expressed in human adipose tissue stromal cells. P2-purinoceptor(s) might provide a direct link between sympathetic nerve activity and estrogen biosynthesis in human adipose tissue. Furthermore it (or they) may contribute to the regulation of lipolysis.     

Evidence for an endogenous cAMP-adenosine pathway in the rat kidney

In the rat kidney, exogenous adenosine-3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP) is converted to adenosine via the metabolism of cAMP to adenosine-5'-monophosphate by phosphodiesterase and adenosine-5'-monophosphate to adenosine by 5'-nucleotidase. Our purpose was to investigate whether in the rat kidney adenosine is synthesized from endogenous cAMP via the same pathway. Rat kidneys were perfused with Tyrode's solution, and stabilized for 3 hr to minimize basal renal purine secretion. In control experiments (n = 6), the renal venous secretion rate of adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine and Sigmapurines (adenosine + inosine + hypoxanthine) did not change over the two 10-min experimental periods. In contrast, the beta adrenoceptor agonist (+/-)-isoproterenol (1 and 10 microM added to the perfusate) caused a significant (1-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures; n = 31) increase in the renal venous secretion of adenosine (P <.0001), inosine (P <.0007), hypoxanthine (P <.0007) and Sigmapurines (P <.0001) as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The Sigmapurines was the most discriminating index of isoproterenol-induced changes in purine release, and the renal venous secretion of Sigmapurines was significantly (2-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures) attenuated by inhibition of beta adrenoceptors with propranolol (.1 microM, n = 6; P <.05), phosphodiesterase with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1 mM, n = 5; P <.002) and 5'-nucleotidase with alpha, beta-methyleneadenosine-5'-diphosphate (0.1 mM, n = 5; P <.03). Our data indicate that activation of beta adrenoceptors increases purine biosynthesis in the rat kidney via a mechanism that involves phosphodiesterase and 5'-nucleotidase. These results support the existence of an endogenous cAMP-adenosine pathway in the rat kidney.     

Kinetic studies of Bacillus polymyxa nitrogenase

Nitrogenase from the facultative anaerobe Bacillus polymxa was separated into its component proteins, which were recombined in the ratio that produced optimal specific activity (125 to 175 nmol of C2H2 reduced/min per mg of total protein). The apparent Michaelis constants (Km)for the magnesium adenosine triphosphate complex, reducible substrates azide, acetylene, and N2 and the nonphysiological electron donor hydrosulfite (S2O42-) were determined to be 0.7, 0.7, 0.2, 0.06, and 0.03 MM, respectively. These apparent Km values are in reasonable agreement with those reported for the nitrogenases of Azotobacter vinelandii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Either a total lack of cooperativity between binding sites or a single binding site for reducible substrates is indicated by analysis of Hill plots. Hill plot slopes of approximately 1.7 suggest that multiple binding sites exist for both ATP and S2O42-.     

Acute adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in the pig

The objective of the present project was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of acute (10-minute) adenosine treatment for augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in pigs. Varying doses of adenosine were infused into 28 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps through the axillary artery (0, 0.5, or 2.0 mg per flap) and 22 gracilis muscle flaps through the medial circumflex femoral artery (0, 10, or 20 mg per flap) over 10 minutes. Ten minutes after adenosine infusion, these muscle flaps were subjected to 4 hours of sustained warm global ischemia. In addition, one group of latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (n = 6) received a 10-minute intraarterial adenosine infusion (0.5 mg) at the beginning of reperfusion. Muscle biopsies (n = 4 or 5) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis were obtained before and after adenosine infusion and at the end of 4 hours of ischemia. The extent of muscle infarction was assessed at 48 hours of reperfusion by the tetrazolium dye staining technique. Muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps was measured at the end of adenosine infusion (0 or 0.5 mg per flap, n = 8) by the radioactive microsphere (15-microns) technique. It was observed that adenosine, at all doses tested, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the extent of muscle infarction in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (control, 40.3 +/- 2.2 percent; 0.5 mg, 20.6 +/- 1.6 percent; 2.0 mg, 18.2 +/- 1 percent) and gracilis muscle flaps (control, 31.0 +/- 1.5 percent; 10 mg, 14.3 +/- 3 percent; 20 mg, 11.6 +/- 1.2 percent). Preischemic adenosine treatment (0.5 mg per flap) was associated with maintenance of a significantly (p < 0.05) higher muscle content of ATP in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps at the end of 4 hours of ischemia compared with saline-treated ischemic controls. Postischemic adenosine treatment did not protect latissimus dorsi muscle flaps against infarction. Furthermore, adenosine treatment did not have any significant effect on mean systemic arterial blood pressure or muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps. It is concluded that acute (10-minute) preischemic adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps and that this protective effect of adenosine may be, at least in part, the result of slowing muscle ATP depletion during sustained ischemia. The possible mechanisms of this adenosine-induced energysparing effect are discussed.     

Adenosine A1 receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C in cultured astrocytes depends on the level of receptor expression

Adenosine A1 receptors induce an inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via G-proteins of the Gi/o family. In addition, simultaneous stimulation of A1 receptors and of receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PLC) results in a synergistic potentiation of PLC activity. Evidence has accumulated that Gbetagamma subunits mediate this potentiating effect. However, an A1 receptor-mediated increase in extracellular glutamate was suggested to be responsible for the potentiating effect in mouse astrocyte cultures. We have investigated the synergistic activation of PLC by adenosine A1 and alpha1 adrenergic receptors in primary cultures of astrocytes derived from different regions of the newborn rat brain. It is reported here that (1) adenosine A1 receptor mRNA as well as receptor protein is present in astrocytes from all brain regions, (2) A1 receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase is of similar extent in all astrocyte cultures, (3) the A1 receptor-mediated potentiation of PLC activity requires higher concentrations of agonist than adenylyl cyclase inhibition and is dependent on the expression level of A1 receptor, and (4) the potentiating effect on PLC activity is unrelated to extracellular glutamate. Taken together, our data support the notion that betagamma subunits are the relevant signal transducers for A1 receptor-mediated PLC activation in rat astrocytes. Because of the lower affinity of betagamma, as compared with alpha subunits, more betagamma subunits are required for PLC activation. Therefore, only in cultures with higher levels of adenosine A1 receptors is the release of betagamma subunits via Gi/o activation sufficient to stimulate PLC. It is concluded that variation of the expression level of adenosine A1 receptors may be an important regulatory mechanism to control PLC activation via this receptor.     

A novel class of adenosine A3 receptor ligands. 2. Structure affinity profile of a series of isoquinoline and quinazoline compounds

A series of 3-(2-pyridinyl)isoquinoline derivatives was synthesized as potential antagonists for the human adenosine A3 receptor by substitution of the 1-position. The compounds were obtained by various synthetic routes from 1-amino-3-(2-pyridinyl)isoquinoline. The affinity was determined in radioligand binding assays for rat brain A1 and A2A receptors and for the cloned human A3 receptor. A structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that a phenyl group when coupled by a spacer allowing conjugation on position 1 of the isoquinoline ring increased the adenosine A3 receptor affinity. In contrast, such a phenyl group directly bound to position 1 of the isoquinoline ring decreased affinity. Since the combination of a phenyl group together with a spacer raised adenosine A3 receptor affinity, various spacers were investigated. VUF8501 (N-[3-(2-pyridinyl)isoquinolin-1-yl]benzamidine (15) showed an affinity at the human adenosine A3 receptor of 740 nM. Substituent effects on the phenyl group were investigated by in vitro evaluation of a series of substituted benzamidines. Electron-donating groups at the para position of the benzamidine ring increased adenosine A3 receptor affinity. These investigations led to VUF8505 (4-methoxy-N-[3-(2-pyridinyl)isoquinolin-1-yl]benzamidine(22)), which is a moderately potent and selective ligand for the human adenosine A3 receptor with an affinity of 310 nM in our test system having negligible affinity for rat A1 and A2A receptors.