Increase In Adenosine Concentration Research Articles

Tyramine produces interstitial adenosine-mediated activation of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in rat heart in vivo

We examined the effect of tyramine on the production of adenosine in rat heart. A flexibly mounted microdialysis setup was used to measure the concentration of interstitial adenosine and to assess the activity of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in in vivo rat hearts. The microdialysis probe was implanted in the left ventricular myocardium of anesthetized rats and perfused with Tyrode solution containing adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) at a rate of 1.0 μl/min. The concentration of adenosine in the effluent (dialysate) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Dialysate adenosine obtained during perfusion with the AMP-containing solution through the probe originated from the hydrolysis of AMP by endogenous ecto-5′-nucleotidase, and the level of adenosine reflected the activity of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in the tissue. Tyramine (0–4 mM) increased the adenosine concentration measured during the perfusion of AMP (100 μM) in a concentration-dependent manner. α,β-Methyleneadenosine 5′-diphosphate (α,β-meADP, 100 μM), an inhibitor of ecto-5′-nucleotidase, abolished the AMP-induced increase in dialysate adenosine. Tyramine (1 mM) increased the adenosine concentration measured in the presence of 100 μM AMP (i.e., the activity of ecto-5′-nucleotidase) by 65.8±19.9% ( n=6, P<0.05), an increase which was inhibited by an antagonist of the α 1-adrenoceptor (prazosin, 50 μM) or of protein kinase C (chelerythrine, 10 μM). These data provide the first evidence that α 1-adrenoceptor stimulation and the subsequent activation of protein kinase C can increase adenosine concentrations in the interstitial space of ventricular muscle in vivo, through activation of endogenous ecto-5′-nucleotidase. To examine the effect of tyramine on the production of adenosine by ischemia–reperfusion of the rat myocardium, the heart was subjected to myocardial ischemia for 15 min by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. When the heart was reperfused, elevation of the level of adenosine in the ischemic zone was observed, but this change was not significant. However, when corresponding experiments were performed with a subsequent systemic administration of tyramine (1 mM), a marked elevation in the level of adenosine was observed. The results suggest that tyramine elevates adenosine via stimulation of α 1-adrenoceptors and protein kinase C-mediated activation of ecto-5′-nucleotidase in rat heart.

The purine nucleoside adenosine in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Adenosine, an intercellular messenger that is a product of the metabolism of ATP, plays a major role in neuronal and vascular responses of the retina to alterations in oxygen delivery. Significant changes in adenosine concentration have been measured in the retina during both ischemia and during the subsequent reperfusion period which result in important, but complex, functional effects. Adenosine A1 receptor stimulation produces a protective effect during ischemia, whereas overstimulation of the A2a receptor has deleterious effects. The mechanisms underlying these findings have not been completely determined, but most likely are the result of alterations in excitotoxicity, gene expression, and blood flow. Paradoxically, prolonged increases in adenosine concentration may be injurious to the retina, a consequence of superoxide radical formation secondary to adenosine catabolism. Adenosine is a critical mediator of blood flow changes in response to ischemia. It is a significant component of the retina’s compensatory hyperemic response to ischemia, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia. Increasing endogenous adenosine concentrations may be useful in ameliorating post-ischemic hypoperfusion. Overall, current evidence suggests that adenosine is a vital component of the endogenous retinal response to substrate deprivation. Additionally, in vitro studies provide strong evidence that adenosine is a mediator of the formation and effects of vascular endothelial growth factor, which in turn promotes neovascularization. Finally, the ability of the retina to develop an ischemia-tolerant state by ischemic preconditioning is an intriguing phenomenon that reveals yet another essential role for adenosine in the retina’s endogenous response to ischemia. The experimental results described in this review suggest that continued investigation into the role of adenosine in the retina may lead to important clinical applications for adenosine-based therapies that could decrease the incidence of retinal damage in ischemic vasculopathies such as diabetes, glaucoma, and retinal vascular occlusion.

Increased cerebral extracellular adenosine and decreased PGE2 during ethanol-induced inhibition of FBM.

Adenosine and PGE2 are neuromodulators, both of which inhibit fetal breathing movements (FBM). Although circulating PGE2 has been implicated as a mediator of ethanol-induced inhibition of FBM in the late-gestation ovine fetus, a role for adenosine has not been examined. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of maternal ethanol infusion on ovine fetal cerebral extracellular fluid adenosine and PGE2 concentrations by using in utero microdialysis and to relate any changes to ethanol-induced inhibition of FBM. Dialysate samples were obtained from the fetal parietal cortex over 70 h after surgery to determine steady-state extracellular fluid adenosine and PGE2 concentrations. On each of postoperative days 3 and 4, after a 2-h baseline period, ewes received a 1-h infusion of ethanol (1 g/kg maternal body wt) or an equivalent volume of saline, and the fetus was monitored for a further 11 h with 30-min dialysate samples collected throughout. Immediately after surgery, dialysate PGE2 and adenosine concentrations were 3.7 +/- 0.7 and 296 +/- 127 nM, respectively. PGE2 did not change over the 70 h, whereas adenosine decreased to 59 +/- 14 nM (P < 0.05) at 4 h and then remained unchanged. Ethanol decreased dialysate PGE2 concentration for 2 h (3.3 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.4 nM; P < 0.05) and increased adenosine concentration for 6 h (87 +/- 13 to a maximum of 252 +/- 59 nM, P < 0.05). Ethanol decreased FBM incidence from 47 +/- 7 to 16 +/- 5% (P < 0.01) for 8 h. Saline infusion did not change dialysate adenosine or PGE2 concentrations or FBM incidence. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that fetal cerebral adenosine, and not PGE2, is the primary mediator of ethanol-induced inhibition of FBM at 123 days of gestation in sheep.

Effect of chronic salt loading on adenosine metabolism and receptor expression in renal cortex and medulla in rats.

Previous studies have shown that chronic salt loading increased renal interstitial adenosine concentrations and desensitized renal effects of adenosine, a phenomenon that could facilitate sodium excretion. However, the mechanisms responsible for the increased adenosine production and decreased adenosine response are poorly understood. This study examined the effects of the dietary high salt intake on adenosine metabolism and receptor expression in the renal cortex and medulla in Sprague Dawley rats. Fluorescent high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were performed to determine adenosine levels in snap-frozen kidney tissues. Comparing rats fed a normal (1% NaCl) versus high salt (4% NaCl) diet, renal adenosine concentrations in rats fed a high salt diet were significantly higher (cortex: 43+/-3 versus 85+/-4, P<0.05; medulla: 183+/-4 versus 302+/-8 nmol/g wet tissue, P<0.05). Increased adenosine concentrations were not associated with changes in the 5'-nucleotidase or adenosine deaminase activity, as determined by quantitative isoelectric focusing and gel electrophoresis. Western blot analyses showed that a high salt diet (4% NaCl for 3 weeks) downregulated A1 receptors (antinatriuretic type), did not alter A2A and A2B receptors (natriuretic type), and upregulated A3 receptors (function unknown) in both renal cortex and medulla. The data show that stimulation of adenosine production and downregulation of A1 receptors with salt loading may play an important role in adaptation in the kidney to promote sodium excretion.

Improvement by 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide riboside of the contractile dysfunction that follows brief periods of ischemia through increases in ecto-5-nucleotidase activity and adenosine release in canine hearts.

5-Amino-4-imidazole carboxamide (AICA) riboside increases adenosine release in ischemic myocardium, suggesting that AICA riboside improves contractile dysfunction. In 49 open-chest dogs, contractile function assessed by fractional shortening (FS) was observed 3 h after the onset of reperfusion following 15 min of occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. During reperfusion, the treatment with AICA riboside increased adenosine concentration in the coronary venous blood (536+/-44 vs. 281+/-21 pmol/ml at 3 min of reperfusion, p<0.001) and peak coronary hyperemic flow (367+/-13 vs. 300+/-21 ml/100 g per min, p<0.001) when compared with the untreated group. FS at 3h of reperfusion increased in the AICA riboside group (21.1+/-2.3 vs. 12.8+/-0.6% in the untreated group, p<0.001). AICA riboside increased myocardial ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Administration of adenosine also augmented coronary hyperemic flow and increased FS to the levels of the AICA riboside group. Either 8-phenyltheophylline (an antagonist of adenosine receptors) or alpha,beta-methylene-adenosine 5'-diphosphate (an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase) completely abolished the increased coronary hyperemic flow and improvements of myocardial contractile function due to AICA riboside. Thus it was concluded that AICA riboside improves the contractile dysfunction that follows a brief period of ischemia via adenosine-dependent mechanisms.

Increase in myocardial interstitial adenosine and net lactate production in brain-dead pigs: an in vivo microdialysis study.

Brain death-related cardiovascular dysfunction has been documented; however, its mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated changes in myocardial function and metabolism in brain-dead and control pigs. Heart rate, systolic (SAP) and mean (MAP) arterial pressure, left ventricular (LV) dP/dtmax, rate-pressure product, cardiac output (CO), left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow, lactate metabolism, and interstitial myocardial purine metabolite concentrations, monitored by cardiac microdialysis, were studied. A volume expansion protocol was performed at the end of the study. After brain death, a transient increase in heart rate (from 90 [67-120] to 158 [120-200] beats/min) (median, with range in brackets), MAP (82 [74-103] to 117 [85-142] mmHg), LV dP/dtmax (1750 [1100-2100] to 5150 [4000-62,000] mmHg x sec(-1), rate-pressure product (9100 [7700-9700] beats mmHg/min to 22,750 [20,000-26,000] beats mmHg/min), CO (2.2 [2.0-4.0] to 3.3 [3.0-6.0] L/min), and a limited increase in left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow (40 [30-60] to 72 [50-85] ml/min) were observed. Net myocardial lactate production occurred (27 [4-40] to -22 [-28, -11] mg/L, P<0.05) and persisted for 2 hr. A 6-7-fold increase in adenosine dialysate concentration was observed after brain death induction (2.9 [1.0-5.8] to 15.8 [7.0-50.7] micromol/L), followed by a slow decline. Volume expansion significantly increased MAP, CO, and LV dP/dtmax in control animals, but decreased LV dP/dtmax and slightly increased CO in brain-dead animals. A significant increase in adenosine concentration was observed in both groups, with higher levels (P<0.05) in brain-dead animals. Brain death increased oxygen demand in the presence of a limited increase in coronary blood flow, resulting in net myocardial lactate production and increased interstitial adenosine concentration consistent with an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and supply. This may have contributed to the early impairment of cardiac function in brain-dead animals revealed by rapid volume infusion.

Adenosine Kinase Inhibitors

Adenosine (ADO) is an endogenous modulator of intercellular signaling that provides homeostatic reductions in cell excitability during tissue stress and trauma. The inhibitory actions of ADO are mediated by interactions with specific cell-surface G-protein coupled receptors regulating membrane cation flux, polarization, and the release of excitatory neurotransmitters. ADO kinase (AK; EC 2.7.1.20) is the key intracellular enzyme regulating intra- and extracellular ADO concentrations. Inhibition of AK produces marked increases in extracellular ADO levels that are localized to cells and tissues undergoing accelerated ADO release. Thus AK inhibition represents a mechanism to selectively enhance the protective actions of ADO during tissue trauma without producing the nonspecific effects associated with the systemic administration of ADO receptor agonists. During the last 10 years, specific inhibitors of AK based on the endogenous purine nucleoside substrate, ADO, have been developed. Potent AK inhibitors have recently been synthesized that demonstrate high specificity for this enzyme as compared to other ADO metabolic enzymes, transporters, and receptors. In both in vitro and in vivo models, AK inhibitors have been shown to potently increase ADO concentrations in a tissue and event specific fashion and to demonstrate potential clinical utility in animal models of epilepsy, ischemia, pain, and inflammation. AK inhibitors have demonstrated superior efficacy in these models as compared to other mechanisms of modulating ADO availability, and these agents exhibit reduced side-effect liabilities compared to direct acting ADO receptor agonists. The preclinical profile of AK inhibitors indicate that these agents may have therapeutic utility in a variety of central and peripheral diseases associated with cellular trauma and inflammation. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of AK inhibitors in seizure disorders and pain.

Adenine/ribose supply increases adenosine production and protects ATP pool in adenosine kinase-inhibited cardiac cells.

The objective of the present study was to establish the optimal combination of inhibitors of adenosine metabolism and nucleotide precursors resulting in long-term increase in endogenous adenosine concentration without adverse metabolic consequences in non-ischemic cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells were isolated after collagenase digestion of the rat heart. Freshly isolated cardiac myocytes or cultured endothelial cells were incubated for up to 8 h with no inhibitors or substrates or with various combinations of adenosine deaminase inhibitor: 5 micron M erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA), adenosine kinase inhibitors: 10 micro M 5'-iodotubercidin (ITu) or 10 micro M 5'-aminoadenosine (AA) and nucleotide precursors: 100 micro M adenine, 2.5 mm ribose and 5 mm inorganic phosphate. Nucleotide, nucleoside and base concentrations were evaluated at the end of the incubation by HPLC in cardiomyocyte or endothelial cells extracts and in incubation media. Adenosine content in cardiomyocyte suspension was enhanced after 3 h incubation in the presence of ITu+EHNA as compared to EHNA alone (2.8+/-0.2 v 0.9+/-0.2 nmol/mg protein, respectively). ATP decreased from an initial value of 22.7+/-0.7 nmol/mg protein to 18.9+/-0.7 in the presence of ITu+EHNA, while ATP was maintained at 21.8+/-0.7 nmol/mg protein with EHNA. With adenine+ITu+EHNA, the changes were similar to those observed with ITu+EHNA. However, with ribose+adenine+ITu+EHNA, ATP increased to 25. 8+/-1.2 nmol/mg protein and adenosine concentration was elevated to 3.9+/-0.3 nmol/mg protein. Similar results were observed if AA was used instead of ITu to inhibit adenosine kinase. All the changes were maintained after 8 h of incubation. Adenosine content was increased in endothelial cells incubated with ITu+EHNA to 3.1+/-0.4 nmol/mg protein as compared to 1.1+/-0.2 nmol/mg protein with EHNA alone after 3 h, while ATP decreased (18.1+/-1.1 v 22.0+/-1.4 nmol/mg protein with EHNA+ITu or EHNA, respectively). In the presence of adenine+ITu+EHNA, adenosine content increased after 3 h to 6.5+/-0.9 nmol/mg protein while ATP was elevated to 26.1+/-0.8 nmol/mg protein. Additional presence of ribose was without effect. No changes in adenylate energy charge were observed in cardiomyocytes or endothelium under any conditions studied. Inhibition of adenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase caused a decrease in ATP together with increased adenosine content both in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. However, the addition of adenine (endothelial cells) or adenine with ribose (cardiomyocytes) together with inhibitors of adenosine metabolism protected cells from ATP depletion and further increased adenosine concentration.

Effects of nucleoside transport inhibitors and adenine/ribose on ATP concentration and adenosine production in cardiac myocytes.

Adenosine plays an important role in protection of the heart before, during and after ischemia. Nucleoside transport inhibitors (NTI) increase adenosine concentration without inducing ischemia by preventing its uptake and metabolism in cardiac cells. However, prolonged effects of nucleoside transport inhibitors on adenosine and nucleotide metabolism and its combined effect with nucleotide precursors has not been established in cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two nucleoside transport inhibitors, dipyridamole (DIPY) and nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) alone or combined with adenine and ribose on adenosine production and ATP content in cardiomyocytes. Rat cardiomyocytes were isolated using collagenase perfusion technique. Isolated cell suspensions were incubated for up to 480 min with different substrates and inhibitors as follows: (1) control; (2) 100 microM adenine and 2.5 mM ribose; (3) 10 microM DIPY; (4) 1 microM NBTI; (5) DIPY, adenine and ribose and (6) NBTI, adenine and ribose. Five microM EHNA (erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase) was added to all incubations. After incubation, extracts of myocyte suspension were analysed by HPLC for adenine nucleotides and metabolite concentrations. ATP content decreased in cardiomyocytes after 8 h of incubation with DIPY, while no change was observed with NBTI or without inhibitors. Adenosine concentration increased with both DIPY and NBTI. In the presence of adenine and ribose an elevation in ATP concentration was observed, but no significant change in adenosine content. In the presence of DIPY or NBTI together with adenine and ribose, an enhancement in cardiomyocyte ATP concentration was observed together with an increase in adenosine content. This increase in adenosine production was especially prominent with DIPY. In conclusion, dipyridamole causes a decrease in ATP concentration in isolated cardiomyocytes by mechanisms other than nucleoside transport inhibition. Addition of adenine/ribose with dipyridamole prevents the depletion of ATP. Combination of adenine/ribose with nucleoside transport inhibitors may also further enhance adenosine concentration and thus, could be more effective as pharmacological agents for treatment.

Ischemia Induces Significant Changes in Purine Nucleoside Concentration in the Retina-Choroid in Rats

Adenosine, produced from the decomposition of adenosine triphosphate, is believed to provide protective effects during ischemia. On the other hand, adenosine metabolites may serve as precursors for oxygen free radical formation. The time course of formation of adenosine and its purine metabolites was studied during retinal ischemia in rats. Concentrations of adenosine and its purine nucleoside metabolites inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine in the retina-choroid of ketamine/xylazine-anesthetized rats were measured during retinal ischemia using high performance liquid chromatography. Quantitative measurements were made possible in the small tissue mass through the use of internal standards. Ischemia was induced by ligation of the central retinal artery. In each rat, one eye was ischemic while the other served as a non-ischemic control. Eyes were frozen in situ at 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 min of ischemia. The retina-choroid was then removed from the frozen eyes and analysed. Significant increases in the concentrations of adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine in ischemic compared to control retina-choroid were detectable within 1 to 5 min of the onset of ischemia, and within 10 min for xanthine. Increase in adenosine concentration in ischemic relative to control retina-choroid plateaued at 30 min of ischemia, while inosine and hypoxanthine concentrations increased continuously. The increase in xanthine concentration was exponential throughout the measurement period. This study documented the time-related changes in purine nucleoside concentration during ischemia. Prolonged ischemia results in ongoing production of xanthine, which by serving as a precursor for oxygen free radical formation, could be a pathogenic factor in prolonged retinal ischemia.

K+ATP channels and adenosine are not necessary for coronary autoregulation.

Autoregulation is defined as the intrinsic ability of an organ to maintain constant flow in the face of changing perfusion pressure. The present study evaluated the role of several potential mediators of coronary autoregulation: interstitial adenosine, ATP-sensitive K+ (K+ATP) channels, and myocardial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions as reflected by coronary venous oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions. The left main coronary artery was cannulated, and blood was perfused at controlled pressures in closed-chest dogs. Interstitial adenosine concentration was estimated from arterial and venous adenosine concentrations with a previously described mathematical model. Autoregulation of coronary blood flow was observed between 100 and 60 mmHg. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of K+ATP channels, reduced coronary blood flow by 19% at each perfusion pressure, but autoregulation was preserved. After stepwise reductions in coronary pressure to values > or = 70 mmHg, adenosine concentrations did not increase above basal levels. Adenosine concentration was elevated at 60 mmHg, suggesting a role for adenosine at the limit of coronary autoregulation. Adenosine is not required because glibenclamide, an inhibitor of adenosine-mediated vasodilation, did not reduce autoregulation or increase adenosine concentration. Coronary venous oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions were little changed during autoregulation before the inhibition of K+ATP channels and adenosine vasodilation with glibenclamide. However, coronary venous carbon dioxide tension rose progressively with decreasing coronary pressure after glibenclamide. The increase in carbon dioxide indirectly suggests that carbon dioxide-mediated vasodilation compensated for the loss of K+ATP-channel function. In summary, neither K+ATP channels nor adenosine is necessary to maintain coronary flow in the autoregulatory range of coronary arterial pressure from 100 to 60 mmHg.

Stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and protein kinase C-mediated activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in rat hearts in vivo.

1. To determine whether protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase would increase interstitial adenosine concentrations in the rat heart in vivo, we made use of the microdialysis technique and a flexibly mounted probe, which was implanted in the left ventricular myocardium and perfused with Tyrode solution. 2. The baseline level of dialysate adenosine was 0.51 +/- 0.09 microM (n = 16). Perfusion of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP, 100 microM) through the probe increased the dialysate adenosine concentration markedly to 9.25 +/- 0.46 microM (n = 15). alpha, beta-Methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate (AOPCP, 100 microM), an inhibitor of ecto-5'-nucleotidase, abolished the AMP-induced increase in dialysate adenosine, but did not affect the baseline level of adenosine. These observations suggest that the dialysate adenosine obtained during the perfusion with AMP, but not the baseline levels of adenosine, originated from the dephosphorylation of AMP by ecto-5'-nucleotidase. Thus, the level of adenosine measured during AMP perfusion gives an index of the activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in the tissue. 3. Noradrenaline (10 microM) increased the adenosine concentration measured in the presence of 100 microM AMP (i.e. the activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase) by 38.7 +/- 9.6% (n = 5, P < 0.05), an increase which was inhibited by an antagonist of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor (prazosin, 50 microM) or of PKC (chelerythrine, 10 microM). Further application of either the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine (100 microM) or the diacylglycerol analogue 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG, 100 microM) also increased the adenosine concentration by 35.1 +/- 10.0% (n = 6, P < 0.05) or 40.6 +/- 8.3% (n = 5, P < 0.05), respectively. 4. The presence of okadaic acid (50 microM), an inhibitor of protein phosphatase, enhanced the noradrenaline-induced increase in adenosine concentration by 112.4 +/- 35.9% (n = 4, P < 0.05), to a level significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the increase caused by noradrenaline alone (38.7 +/- 9.6%). 5. These data provide the first evidence that alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation and the subsequent activation of PKC can increase adenosine concentrations in interstitial spaces of ventricular muscle in vivo, through activation of endogenous ecto-5'-nucleotidase.

Neuroprotective Effects of Adenosine in Cerebral Ischemia: Window of Opportunity

SWEENEY, M.I. Neuroprotective effects of adenosine in cerebral ischemia: window of opportunity. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV 21 [2]207–217, 1997.—The inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine is neuroprotective against damage induced by cerebral ischemia. Its vasodilator effects add to its suitability as a possible anti-stroke agent, but also account for unwanted side effects following systemic administration of adenosine receptor agonists. ATP breakdown during ischemia produces adenosine which effluxes out of the neuron. This review will focus on endogenously produced adenosine and its subsequent protection against ischemia-induced neuronal damage in some stroke models, but will also highlight possible disadvantages to increasing adenosine concentrations. In the advantages column, therapeutic benefits have been obtained by enhancing synaptic concentrations of endogenous adenosine using the adenosine uptake inhibitor propentofylline, but not dipyridamole. There is an emerging role for endogenous adenosine in preventing delayed cell death, e.g. following hypoxic pre-conditioning. One of the cons associated with enhancing the synaptic concentration of adenosine is the appearance of adenosine receptor desensitization over time. Thus, there is a therapeutic window of opportunity during which activation of an adenosine A 1 receptor is beneficial to an ischemic neuron. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Increased Adenosine Concentrations in Cerebral Spinal Fluid After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

Increased Adenosine Concentrations in Cerebral Spinal Fluid After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

Increased Adenosine Concentrations in Cerebral Spinal Fluid After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children Paper #731

Increased Adenosine Concentrations in Cerebral Spinal Fluid After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children Paper #731

Isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of plasma adenosine

Due to manifold physiological and cardioprotective actions of adenosine, the demand for a simple but accurate method to determine its concentration in plasma is increasing. The aim of this study was firstly to develop a simple isocratic method instead of the gradient elution or peak-shifting techniques used earlier and secondly to check conflicting data on the composition of “stop-solution”, added to the sample in order to prevent changes in adenosine concentration. Isocratic elution improved signal to noise ratio and concentrations of 100 μmol L−1 dipyridamole and 2.5 μmol L−1 erythro-9(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine in the blood sample effectively prevented both adenosine formation and degradation, even without the use of a 5′-ecto-nucleotidase inhibitor. Lowering the concentration of dipyridamole to 25 μmol L−1 caused more than a tenfold increase of adenosine concentration in two out of five cases and even 100 μmol L−1 dipyridamole alone is not sufficient to inhibit adenosine deaminase in blood samples.

Central inhibitory effect of adenosine deaminase on carotid blood flow increase at high pressure

Carotid blood flow in rats was measured by implanted transit-time ultrasonic flowprobes throughout hyperbaric experiments conducted up to 70 bar (7 MPa) with a helium-oxygen hyperoxic (PO 2 = 400 mbar) mixture. Before the hyperbaric experiment, an intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of phosphate saline-buffered solution (PBS) or adenosine deaminase (ADA, 100 U.ml −1) in PBS was performed. Throughout the hyperbaric experiment carotid blood flow increased with ambiant pressure in PBS-treated rats. Conversely, the increase in carotid blood flow was attenuated by ADA treatment. These results suggest that the increase in carotid blood flow at high ambiant pressure could result from an increase of adenosine concentration in the rat brain.

Effect of acadesine treatment on postischemic damage to small intestine.

Hemorrhagic mucosal lesions are produced during intestinal ischemia and after reperfusion due at least in part to the accumulation and activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the tissue. It has been shown in vitro that adenosine is instrumental in attenuating this pathophysiological process. Acadesine [5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide (AICA) riboside], a purine nucleoside analogue, increases the availability of adenosine in the tissue. The aim of the study was therefore to assess the influence of acadesine treatment on neutrophil accumulation, purine metabolism, and mucosal damage after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion. Intestinal ischemia was induced in cats by partial occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 2 h. Samples of the small intestine were exercised before and at the end of the hypotensive period as well as 10 and 60 min after reperfusion. Conjugated dienes, myeloperoxidase, and reduced and oxidized glutathione, as well as the purine metabolites, were determined in the tissue samples. The tissue was also examined histologically. Six cats received saline, and six cats were treated initially before ischemia with acadesine (2.5 mg/kg body wt i.v.) over 5 min as a bolus. Thereafter, acadesine (0.5 mg.kg-1.min- i.v.) was given continuously during ischemia and 30 min after reperfusion. Acadesine treatment significantly attenuated the mucosal lesions seen during reperfusion. This improvement was due at least in part to the inhibition of neutrophil accumulation, as judged by low myeloperoxidase levels. The prevention of neutrophil activation resulted most likely from increased adenosine concentrations in the intestinal tissue in the early reperfusion period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The antiinflammatory effects of an adenosine kinase inhibitor are mediated by adenosine

The acute antiinflammatory effects of methotrexate are mediated, at least in part, by increased extracellular adenosine concentrations at inflamed sites. This observation suggests that other agents that increase extracellular adenosine concentrations might also reduce inflammation. Since adenosine can be rapidly taken up by cells, phosphorylated by adenosine kinase, and maintained intracellularly as adenine nucleotides, we investigated whether a potent inhibitor of adenosine kinase, GP-1-515, could increase exudate adenosine concentration and thereby diminish inflammation in the murine air pouch model of inflammation. We studied the effect of various oral doses of GP-1-515 on carrageenan-induced inflammation in air pouches induced on BALB/c mice. Adenosine concentration in pouch exudates was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and intensity of inflammation was determined by leukocyte counts in the exudate fluid. There was a greater concentration of adenosine in the pouch exudates of animals treated with GP-1-515 than of those treated with saline (P < 0.002). GP-1-515 inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01), leukocyte accumulation in the murine air pouch in response to carrageenan. Inhibition of inflammation by GP-1-515 in this model depended upon increased adenosine concentration in the inflamed pouch since injection of adenosine deaminase into the air pouch with the carrageenan completely reversed the antiinflammatory effects of GP-1-515 at all doses of GP-1-515 tested. Moreover, as previously demonstrated, the antiinflammatory effects of adenosine were mediated via occupancy of adenosine A2 receptors, since the specific adenosine A2 receptor antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, but not the A1 receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-dipropylxanthine, completely reversed the antiinflammatory effects of GP-1-515. GP-1-515 also decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in the air pouch exudates by 51%, most likely as a result of the direct action of adenosine on macrophages. These results indicate that the antiinflammatory actions of GP-1-515 are mediated by adenosine. The development of agents that promote adenosine release at sites of inflammation is a novel strategy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Combining laser doppler flowmetry with microdialysis: a novel approach to investigate the coupling of regional cerebral blood flow to neuronal activity

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) is directly coupled to neuronal activity; however, the mediators of this coupling have not been established. The characterization of these vasoactive substances requires a technique which enables sampling of locally released mediators together with the simultaneous monitoring of rCBF. The goal of this study was to establish such a technique by combining microdialysis and laser doppler flowmetry. Laser doppler and microdialysis probes were inserted into the dorsal hippocampal, CA1-dentate hilus, of rats. Animals received sequentially increasing concentrations of N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA). rCBF responded in a dose-dependent manner, increasing to 106.8 ± 2.3%, 119.7 ± 6.3%, 148.0 ± 16.6%, and 191.4 ± 20.4% of baseline at 50 μM, 100 μM, 200 μM, and 500 μM NMDA, respectively. All doses of NMDA produced an increase in extracellular concentrations of adenosine and citrulline, an indirect measure of nitric oxide generation. These results indicate that the combination of microdialysis and laser doppler flowmetry is a valuable tool to investigate the coupling of rCBF to neuronal activity. Moreover our data suggest two possible mediators of this coupling, nitric oxide and adenosine, which require further investigation.