Alkylxanthines: inhibition of adenosine-elicited accumulation of cyclic AMP in brain slices and of brain phosphodiesterase activity

1-(4-Aminophenyl)isoquinoline derivatives. Potent inhibitors of calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat cerebral cortex

The effects of a series of 1-(4-aminophenyl)isoquinoline derivatives on the activity of calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases purified from rat cerebral cortex were examined. Agents were approximately equipotent (IC50 values, 0.2 to 25 microM) in inhibiting the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP, while they were 6-35 times more effective as inhibitors of cyclic AMP hydrolysis when compared to cyclic GMP hydrolysis using the calcium-independent enzyme. The diastereomers of 3-(carbomethoxy)propenamido demonstrated a marked difference in specificity. The cis-isomer was very potent in inhibiting cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP hydrolysis by either enzyme (IC50 values, 0.2 to 8 microM) while the trans-isomer was only effective in inhibiting calcium-independent cyclic AMP hydrolysis (IC50 values, 2.5 microM). Kinetic analyses of the type of inhibition of the calcium-dependent enzyme revealed that the various agents were competitive inhibitors of cyclic GMP hydrolysis and noncompetitive inhibitors of cyclic AMP hydrolysis. A reverse pattern of inhibition by the isoquinoline derivatives was found using the calcium-independent phosphodiesterase, i.e. noncompetitive inhibition of cyclic GMP while competitive inhibition of cyclic AMP. Inhibition of phosphodiesterases by these agents was also manifest using intact brain slices prepared from rat cerebral cortex. Thus, the agents were found to potentiate forskolin-elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP by 100-700% and increased the half-time for the decline in cyclic AMP following forskolin stimulation from 3 to 6 min.

An improved, automated adenylate cyclase assay utilizing preparative HPLC: effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors

Analysis of adenylate cyclase (ACase) activity in broken cell preparations usually involves conversion of [alpha-32P]ATP to [32P]cyclic AMP (cAMP) followed by purification of cAMP by liquid chromatographic methods. An automated, preparative reverse-phase HPLC procedure was developed that purifies cAMP rapidly and decreases variability and background. It permits the separation procedure to be validated rapidly prior to use with actual samples, and is readily adaptable for assaying guanylate cyclase, phosphodiesterases (PDE), or a variety of other related nucleotide-metabolizing enzymes. For ACase assays, 4.5% ZnSO4-10% Ba(OH)2 is added to the incubation mixture, and following centrifugation, the supernatant is injected on an HPLC apparatus fitted with a Waters Z-Module containing a 10-microns C18 reverse-phase cartridge. Using a mobile phase of 0.15 M sodium acetate-20% methanol (pH 5.0) at a flow rate of 4 ml/min, cAMP is eluted at k' greater than 1.25, whereas k' less than 0.5 for all other adenine nucleotides, permitting collection of the cAMP fraction after running the other nucleotides to waste. The method was validated by characterizing dopamine-sensitive ACase in homogenates of striatum from Sprague-Dawley rats. Basal activity (177 +/- 16 pmol/mg protein/min), the stimulation by dopamine (186 +/- 19 pmol/mg/min), the apparent Km for dopamine (5.0 +/- 1.5 microM), and expected effects of varying magnesium, EGTA, and GTP were similar to available data. However, it was found that isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) or theophylline, usually included in the incubation mixture as PDE inhibitors, markedly inhibited the synthesis of cAMP in both the presence and absence of dopamine. A consequence of this inhibition was a marked change in the apparent Km of dopamine calculated from a Lineweaver-Burk plot. The use of IBMX to inhibit PDEs was compared with an alternate strategy, the addition of excess exogenous cAMP. Simultaneous analysis of PDE and ACase activity was accomplished by including [3H]cAMP in the incubation and quantifying the amounts of [3H]cAMP hydrolyzed and [32P]cAMP synthesized. Without IBMX, a concentration of 1 mM exogenous cAMP was sufficient to prevent significant loss of [3H]cAMP. In the absence of exogenous cAMP, 0.5 mM IBMX did not completely prevent the breakdown of [3H]cAMP, whereas 2.5 mM IBMX did. Although there was 25% less [3H]cAMP recovered in the presence of 0.5 mM IBMX than with 2.5 mM IBMX, there was no difference in the amount of [32P]cAMP formed (either with or without dopamine).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Evidence that the positive inotropic effects of the alkylxanthines are not due to adenosine receptor blockade

We investigated the possibility that the positive inotropic effects of the alkylxanthines are due to adenosine receptor blockade. The potency of 8-phenyltheophylline, theophylline and enprofylline as adenosine antagonists was assessed in vitro, using the guinea-pig isolated atrium, and in vivo, using the anaesthetized dog. The order of potency of the alkylxanthines as antagonists of the negative inotropic response to 2-chloroadenosine in vitro, and of the hypotensive response to adenosine in vivo was 8-phenyltheophylline greater than theophylline greater than enprofylline. The order of potency of the alkylxanthines as positive inotropic and chronotropic agents in the anaesthetized dog was enprofylline greater than theophylline greater than 8-phenyltheophylline. The results of this study indicate that the inotropic effects of the alkylxanthines in the anaesthetized dog are not due to adenosine receptor blockade.

Effects of forskolin analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and 8-bromo cyclic AMP on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E1 in rat skin

The effects of forskolin analogs, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and 8-bromo cyclic AMP on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E1 in rat skin were investigated using [125I]bovine serum albumin (125I-BSA). Forskolin, forskolin 7-ethyl carbonate and 7-desacetylforskolin, which are potent activators of adenylate cyclase, greatly potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation and inhibited the prostaglandin E1-induced response. On the other hand, 14,15-dihydroforskolin and 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, which are weak or inactive as activators of adenylate cyclase, did not have any significant effect on bradykinin and prostaglandin E1-induced plasma exudations. The phosphodiesterase inhibitors, ZK 62711, dipyridamole, HL 725, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation and inhibited the prostaglandin E1-induced response. Papaverine had biphasic effects on the bradykinin-response and slight inhibitory effects on the prostaglandin E1-response. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP in the doses of 0.01 to 1 microgram potentiated the bradykinin-induced plasma exudation, but had no effect at doses of 10 and 100 micrograms. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP at all doses significantly inhibited the prostaglandin E1-induced response. The results suggest that the effects of forskolin and its analogs on plasma exudations induced with bradykinin and prostaglandin E1 in rat skin derive from activation of cyclic AMP-generating systems.

The effect of alkylxanthines and other phosphodiesterase inhibitors on adenosine-receptor mediated decrease in lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation in rat fat cells

Cyclic AMP accumulation and glycerol release were studied in isolated rat fat cells. Both processes were inhibited by R-site specific adenosine analogues (L-PIA greater than NECA greater than 2-chloro-adenosine greater than D-PIA), but poorly or not at all by the P-site selective analogue SQ 22,536. The effect of a series of xanthine derivatives and of some structurally unrelated phosphodiesterase inhibitors as inhibitors of 2-chloro-adenosine induced inhibition of NA stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and lipolysis was subsequently examined. The 2-chloroadenosine effect on cyclic AMP accumulation was antagonized by the xanthines with the following order of potency: DPX greater than 8-phenyl-theophylline greater than 8-p-sulpho-phenyl-theophylline greater than verrophylline greater than IBMX greater than theophylline greater than HWA 285 greater than pentoxiphylline greater than caffeine greater than 7-benzyl IBMX greater than theobromine greater than enprofylline greater greater than ZK 62,711. The rank order potency of xanthines against the antilipolytic effect of 2-chloro-adenosine was the same with two notable exceptions: the two potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors 7-benzyl-IBMX and ZK 62,711 were more than 20 times more potent as inhibitors of the antilipolytic effect of 2-chloro-adenosine. The results show that antagonism of adenosine analogue-induced antilipolytic effects is a convenient assay for adenosine antagonistic potency of drugs, except for drugs with a high potency as phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The lipolytic potency of the xanthine derivatives was also studied. The ability of the xanthines to stimulate basal and noradrenaline stimulated lipolysis was generally in agreement with their potency as adenosine antagonists. Adenosine deaminase induced lipolysis was stimulated by potent phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

On the mechanism by which methylxanthines enhance apomorphine-induced rotation behaviour in the rat

Methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline, potentiate the rotation behaviour induced by dopamine receptor agonists in rats with unilateral lesions of the nigro-striatal pathway. In the present study we have examined the possibility that interaction with central adenosine mechanisms could influence rotation behaviour. Under in vitro conditions adenosine and N6-phenylisopropyl-adenosine (PIA) stimulate cyclic AMP accumulation. This effect was enhanced by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram, but blocked by alkylxanthines such as caffeine, theophylline and, particularly, 8-phenyl-theophylline. Rotation behaviour induced by apomorphine (0.05 mg/kg), was inhibited by PIA and rolipram and by a low dose of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor EHNA (2 mg/kg). By contrast, theophylline and 8-phenyl-theophylline caused a potentiation. The former drug stimulated rotation behaviour per se, while the latter did not. 8-Phenyl-theophylline entered the brain poorly and its concentration in brain it was less than 1/10 of theophylline. It is concluded that theophylline does not potentiate rotation behaviour secondarily to inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Antagonism of endogenous adenosine may partly explain the effect of methylxanthines. Possibly, some as yet unknown mechanism may also contribute to the effects of xanthine-derivatives on rotation behaviour.

Species differences in behavioural effects of rolipram and other adenosine cyclic 3H, 5H-monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitors

The effect of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors rolipram, Ro 20-1724 and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) on motor behaviour and rectal temperature was studied in mice, rats and guinea pigs following intraperitoneal administration (0.39 to 25 mg/kg). The selective adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) PDE inhibitors rolipram and Ro 20-1724 in each species caused a dissimilar pattern of neurotropic effects: Hypothermia and hypokinesia in mice, hypothermia, hypokinesia and head twitches in rats, hypothermia, hyperkinesia and head twitches in guinea pigs. The head twitches were associated with forepaw shaking and increased grooming. Rolipram was the most potent compound in the three species. In guinea pigs it was less active than in rats or mice. Ro 20-1724 was approx. 15 to 30 times less potent in inducing the characteristic alterations in the various species. The alkylxanthine PDE inhibitor IBMX, 0.39 to 6.25 mg/kg, slightly stimulated the locomotor activity of mice and rats, most probably due to antagonism of central adenosine actions. IBMX, 6.25 to 25 mg/kg, caused a pattern of neurotropic effects identical to that produced by the selective cAMP PDE inhibitors, indicating the prevalence of the cAMP PDE inhibitory action over the adenosine antagonistic action at higher dosages. IBMX was approx. as potent as Ro 20-1724 in this respect. The species differences in the neurotropic responses to cAMP PDE inhibition in vivo presumably reflect similar differences in the extent of cAMP accumulation in brain tissue of the three species in vitro. Enhanced availability of brain cAMP in vivo in the various rodent species seems to be correlated with diverse patterns of more or less complex motor behavioural symptoms.

Novel form of drug-dependence--on adenosine in guinea pig ileum

There is evidence that dependence on opiates occurs in neurones bearing their specific receptors, whose activation inhibits the neurone. Thus, incubation of guinea pig ileum with an opiate induces in the final cholinergic motoneurone of the myenteric plexus a dependence that closely resembles in basic characteristics opiate dependence in whole animals. A comparable, but distinct dependence can be induced by incubating the ileum with clonidine. Since adenosine also inhibits the final cholinergic motoneurone, by activating a specific purine receptor, we have tested whether it, too, can induce a distinct dependence in this neurone. To demonstrate dependence, we challenged the ileum by removing drug or by adding the selective purine receptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline, which does not substantially inhibit phosphodiesterase, or caffeine. We found that incubation of the ileum with adenosine, or with the more potent derivative, 2-chloroadenosine, induced a novel form of drug dependence, made manifest by withdrawal of inducing drug, but not by antagonists of opiates or clonidine.

The ionic basis of adenosine receptor actions on post-ganglionic neurones in the rat

Adenosine inhibited three Ca2+-dependent potentials recorded intracellularly from post-ganglionic neurones of the rat superior cervical ganglion. A shoulder on the falling phase of the action potential elicited in normal Locke solution, a hyperpolarizing after-potential (h.a.p.) that follows the spike, and a regenerative Ca2+ spike elicited in Locke solution containing TTX and TEA were all reversibly inhibited by adenosine analogues in a dose-dependent fashion. The maximum rate of rise of the Ca2+ spike (dV/dt) was markedly reduced suggesting that the underlying mechanism of adenosine action is inhibition of the Ca2+ conductance mechanism and thus, the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ current. I/V curves in low Ca2+, high Mg2+, TTX, TEA, and Co2+ to block the Ca2+ current show no change in resistance in the presence of 2-chloroadenosine. The actions of adenosine were nearly eliminated in the presence of 1 mM-theophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist. The order of agonist potency on the inhibition of the h.a.p. was: N-6-[L-phenylisopropyl] adenosine (L-PIA) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than cyclic AMP = 5' AMP. The concentration of L-PIA which produced a half-maximal effect (EC50) was 0.5 microM and that for cyclic AMP was 100 microM. Dipyridamole, an adenosine uptake blocker, potentiated the effects of low concentrations of adenosine and shifted the dose-response curve for adenosine towards that of 2-chloroadenosine (EC50 = 1 microM). These results are consistent with the concept of an external adenosine receptor, but we are unable to assign a receptor subtype. Cyclic AMP mimicked the effects of adenosine, but these effects were eliminated by adenosine deaminase. Our results suggest that the electrogenic effects of bath-applied cyclic AMP may result from the metabolism of cyclic AMP to adenosine by ganglionic tissue. We conclude that adenosine activates a receptor on the neuronal cell surface to inhibit the voltage-dependent Ca2+ current.

New derivatives of methyl-xanthines: effect of thiocaffeine thiotheophylline and 8-phenyltheophylline on lipolysis and on phosphodiesterase activities

The effects of some old and new methylxanthines and 6-thioxanthines, i.e. theophylline (TH), caffeine (CAFF), thiotheophyl line (S-TH), thiocaffeine (S-CAFF), 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT), 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) were compared at the level of adipose tissue on spontaneous and norepinephrine-induced lipolysis as well as on fat cell phosphodiesterases. These agents stimulated lipolysis. 8-PT was the most potent; thiocaffeine and thiotheophylline the least potent; IBMX and theophylline had intermediate potencies. The order of potency of the same drugs in potentiating norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis was: IBMX greater than 8-PT greater than S-CAFF greater than greater than S-TH greater than CAFF greater than TH. The rank order of potency to inhibit cAMP phosphodiesterases was: IBMX greater than S-TH and S-CAFF greater than TH much greater than 8-PT (uneffective). Thus (a) thiocaffeine and thiotheophylline were more potent than the parent compound theophylline in inhibiting cAMP-PDE, although their per se stimulating effect on lipolysis was much lower. This indicates that in the thioxanthines the stimulus per se on lipolysis can be dissociated from their effectiveness as inhibitors of PDE. (b) In contrast, 8-PT (a blocker of adenosine receptors) has a potent lipolytic action per se and a potentiating effect on norepinephrine-induced lipolysis, even if deprived of effect on PDE. This indicates that the potentiating power of methylxanthines on norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis is not strictly dependent on their anti-PDE activities. These results suggest that in adipose tissue (more similar than adipocytes to the in vivo conditions) the anti-adenosine potency of methylxanthines is the prominent factor in stimulating basal lipolysis. Both anti-adenosine and anti-PDE activities are involved in modulating hormone-induced lipolysis.

Clonidine prevents methylxanthine stimulation of norepinephrine metabolism in rat brain

Methylxanthines can produce behavior resembling opiate withdrawal in rats. Since previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of central noradrenergic systems during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal, the effects of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) on norepinephrine metabolism in rat brain were studied. It was found that administration of IBMX elevated levels of the major norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in areas innervated by the locus coeruleus. The increases in MHPG was noted 1 h after administration and was maximal (270% of control) after 3 h. Levels of another norepinephrine metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, followed a similar pattern and time course. Coadministration of naloxone with IBMX did not affect the IBMX-induced elevation in MHPG. Administration of the alpha-agonist clonidine, however, antagonized the effects of IBMX on MHPG levels. The effects of IBMX and clonidine were dose dependent; the lowest dose of IBMX needed to elevate MHPG was 30 mumol/kg (i.p.), and clonidine (180 nmol/kg) reduced the effect of IBMX (100 mumol/kg) by 50%. The data, discussed in terms of a methylxanthine-noradrenergic interaction, suggest that withdrawal behaviors in general may be subserved by hyperactive noradrenergic neurons.

Adenosine receptors mediating cardiac depression

Several adenosine analogs were evaluated for their effects on rate and contractility in guinea pig isolated atria. Among adenosine agonists, (-)-N-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl) adenosine (l-phenylisopropyladenosine; l-PIA) and N-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), decreased rate and force at nanomolar concentrations, whereas 2-chloroadenosine, N,N-dimethyladenosine (N6-dimethyladenosine) and (+)-N-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)adenosine (d-phenylisopropyladenosine; d-PIA) were less potent cardiac depressants. The degree and order of potency of these agonists suggest that the cardiac depressant effects of adenosine are mediated via A1-receptors. The cardiac depressant effects of CHA and l-PIA were antagonized by theophylline and 1,3-diethyl-8-phenylxanthine (DPX).

Effects of cyclic AMP analogues and phosphodiesterase inhibitors on K+-induced [3H]noradrenaline release from rat brain slices and on its presynaptic alpha-adrenergic modulation

The possible role of cyclic AMP in the presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated modulation of [3H]noradrenaline (NA) release induced by 13 mM K+ from superfused rat cerebral cortex slices was investigated. Both dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (8-Br-cAMP) dose-dependently (10(-4) - 10(-2) M) enhanced K+-induced (3H]NA release, maximally to about 160% of control. In contrast, db-cAMP had no effect on calcium-induced [3H]NA release in the presence of the calcium ionophore A 23187. Surprisingly, the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). 7-benzyl-IBMX, 4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (ZK 62771), and 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 20-1724) appeared to inhibit K+-induced [3H]NA release in a dose-dependent (10(-5) - 10(-3) M) manner. At a concentration of 10(-4) M, AK 62771 caused an inhibition of [3H]NA release by 30%, and this inhibitory effect was not affected by 10(-6) M phentolamine nor by 10(-3) M db-cAMP or 10(-4) M theophylline. Theophylline by itself enhanced [3H]NA release to about 135% of control. The inhibitor effect of the alpha-adrenoceptor agonist oxymetazoline (1 micro M) and the enhancing effect of the antagonist phentolamine (1 micro M) on [3H]NA release were significantly decreased in the presence of 10(-3) M db-cAMP or 8-Br-cAMP, whereas 10(-4) M ZK 62771 had no effect. In the presence of 10(-2) M NaF, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, the inhibitory effect of oxymetazoline (1 micro M) on [3H]NA release was significantly decreased. The data obtained with the cyclic AMP analogues support the hypothesis that activation of presynaptic alpha-receptors modulating NA release results in an inhibition of a presynaptic adenylate cyclase. Possible causes for the anomalous effects of th PDE inhibitors are discussed.

Selective alteration of Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in rat cerebral cortex by cyclic nucleotides and their analogs

The effects of various cyclic nucleotides and cyclic nucleotide analogs on the activity of Ca2+-independent and Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterases purified from rat cerebral cortex were examined. The order of potency for inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent enzyme by the various agents was the same using either cAMP or cGMP as substrate with 2'-O-monobutyryl cGMP, cIMP and 2-deoxy cGMP being the most potent. The inhibition of deoxy cGMP using cAMP or cGMP as substrate was competitive, with Ki values of 11 and 13 microM, respectively. In marked contrast, hydrolysis of cAMP or cGMp by the Ca2+-independent enzyme was stimulated 50-75% by cIMP, deoxy cGMP and N2-monobutyryl cGMP with EC50 values of 7, 20 and 30 microM, respectively. cGMP (EC50, 1.5 microM) produced quantitatively the same degree of stimulation of cAMP hydrolysis by the Ca2+-independent phosphodiesterase and the activation was not additive with that of deoxy cGMP. Of the other derivatives examined, 2'-O-monobutyryl cAMP and 2'-deoxy cAMP were the most potent inhibitors of cAMP hydrolysis by the Ca2+-independent enzyme and were 30-60 times more effective in inhibiting cAMP hydrolysis as compared to cGMP hydrolysis. The specificity of K+ in inhibiting the activity of the Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase and deoxy cAMP in inhibiting the Ca2+-independent enzyme may provide convenient means to examine specifically these activities in crude extracts from rat cerebral cortex.

Evidence against ATP being the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory transmitter in guinea pig stomach

THe adenosine-sensitive P1 purinoceptor antagonists 8-phenyl theophylline and 8-(p-bromophenyl)theophylline (4 microM) antagonized ATP-induced relaxation of spontaneous tone in guinea pig stomach, but caused no significant modification of relaxation to electrical field stimulation (0.2 - 10 Hz, 1 msec for 30 sec, atropine 1.5 microM, and guanethidine 4 microM treated). These results suggest that in fundic muscle ATP acts via hydrolysis to adenosine, with subsequent activation of P1 purinoceptors, and that ATP is not the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory transmitter in stomach fundus.

Evidence for an A2/Ra adenosine receptor in the guinea-pig trachea

1 An attempt was made to determine whether the extracellular adenosine receptor that mediates relaxation in the guinea-pig trachea is of the A(1)/R(i) or A(2)/R(a) subtype.2 Dose-response curves to adenosine and a number of 5'- and N(6)-substituted analogues were constructed for the isolated guinea-pig trachea, contracted with carbachol.3 The 5'-substituted analogues of adenosine were the most potent compounds tested, the order of potency being 5'-N-cyclopropylcarboxamide adenosine (NCPCA) > 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) > 2-chloroadenosine > L-N(6)-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA) > adenosine > D-N(6)-phenylisopropyladenosine (D-PIA).4 The difference in potency between the stereoisomers D- and L-PIA on the isolated trachea was at the most five fold.5 Responses to low doses of adenosine and its analogues were attenuated after treatment with either theophylline or 8-phenyltheophylline. The responses to 2-chloroadenosine were affected to a lesser extent than were those to the other purines.6 Adenosine transport inhibitors, dipyridamole and dilazep, potentiated responses to adenosine, did not affect those to NCPCA, NECA, L-PIA and D-PIA but significantly reduced the responses to high doses of 2-chloroadenosine.7 Relaxations evoked by 9-beta-D-xylofuranosyladenosine which can activate intracellular but not extracellular adenosine receptors, were attenuated by dipyridamole but unaffected by 8-phenyltheophylline.8 The results support the existence of an extracellular A(2)/R(a) subtype of adenosine receptor and an intracellular purine-sensitive site, both of which mediate relaxation.

Adenosine receptors mediating cyclic AMP production in the rat hippocampus

In the transversely cut rat hippocampus, adenosine caused a dose-dependent increase in the accumulation of [3H]cyclic AMP from [3H]ATP. Adenosine breakdown products were inactive. AMP was somewhat less effective than adenosine, and its effect could be partially, but not completely, abolished by alpha, beta-methylene-ADP and GMP, which inhibited its metabolism by 5'-nucleotidase. The effect of adenosine was unaffected by inhibitors of adenosine deaminase, but enhanced by several inhibitors of adenosine uptake. Some analogues of adenosine, including N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), 2-chloroadenosine and adenosine 5'-ethylcarboxamide (NECA), were more active than adenosine, whereas others such as 2-deoxyadenosine and 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)adenine (SQ 22536) actually inhibited the response. The effect of PIA was highly stereospecific. The action of adenosine was inhibited by several alkylxanthines, the most potent of which was 8-phenyltheophylline. [3H]Cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) bound specifically to cell membranes from the rat hippocampus. The extent of binding was similar to that found in other cortical areas. The relative potency of some adenosine analogues and alkylxanthines to displace labelled CHA was essentially similar to their potency as effectors of the cyclic AMP system. Adenosine contributed to the cyclic AMP-elevating effect of alpha-adrenoceptor-stimulating drugs and several amino acids, but not to that seen with isoprenaline. The cyclic AMP increase seen following depolarization was only partially adenosine-dependent. The present results demonstrate that the rat hippocampus contains adenosine receptors mediating cyclic AMP accumulation and that these receptors have similar characteristics to those mediating pyramidal cell depression. Adenosine-induced cyclic AMP accumulation may be used as a biochemical correlate to electrophysiology and as a convenient parameter to assess the influence of drugs on adenosine mechanisms in the rat hippocampus.

Adenosine-elicited accumulation of adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate in the chick embryo retina

The cyclic AMP level of 17-day-old chick embryo retina increased from 20 to 331 pmol/mg protein when the tissue was incubated for 20 min in the presence of 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl-2-imidozolinone) (RO 20-1724). The addition of 0.5 mM-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) or 0.5 units/ml of adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) to the medium reduced the increase of cyclic AMP content from 20 to 100 pmol/mg protein. Dipyridamole did not interfere with the rise of the retinal cyclic AMP level observed with RO 20-1724. The EC50 of 6-amino-2-chloropurine riboside (2-chloroadenosine)-elicited accumulation of cyclic AMP of retinas incubated in the presence of RO 20-1724 plus adenosine deaminase was approximately 1 microM. When retina incubation was carried out in the presence of 0.5 mM-IBMX, the 2-chloroadenosine dose-response curve was shifted to the right two orders of magnitude. Maximal stimulation of the cyclic AMP level of 17-day-old chick embryo retina incubated in the presence of 0.5 mM-IBMX was observed at 1 mM-adenosine concentration. This effect was not blocked by dopamine antagonists. Guanosine and adenine did not affect the retinal cyclic AMP level. AMP and ATP had a slight stimulatory effect. Adenosine response of embryonic retina increased sharply from the 14th to the 17th embryonic day. A similar, but not identical adenosine effect was observed in cultured retina cells.

Characteristic behavioural alterations in rats induced by rolipram and other selective adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitors

The significance of a characteristic symptomatology (hypothermia, hypoactivity, forepaw shaking, grooming, head twitches) as a potential in vivo correlate of enhanced availability of brain adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) was examined in rats following systemic administration of various doses of dibutyryladenosine cAMP (dBcAMP) or of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors rolipram, Ro 20-1724, ICI 63-197, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) theophylline, cartazolate, and papaverine. The various PDE inhibitors could be assigned to three groups according to the pattern of behavioral alterations they induced. Rolipram, Ro 20-1724, and ICI 63-197 (group 1) caused hypothermia, hypoactivity, forepaw shaking, grooming, and head twitches. All behavioral effects were mimicked by dBcAMP but not dBcGMP. The order of potency and effective dosage range to induce the behavioral alterations were, in descending order, rolipram (0.09-1453 mumol/kg IP), ICI 63-197 (0.48-119 mumol/kg IP), Ro 20-1724 (5.6-1438 mumol/kg IP), corresponding with the recently reported efficacy of the drugs to elevate rat brain cAMP in vivo. Comparatively high doses of the alkylxanthine PDE inhibitors IBMX and theophylline (group 2) caused hypothermia, forepaw shaking, grooming, and head twitches concomitantly with a decline of the motor stimulatory effect, suggesting enhanced availability of brain cAMP. The order of potency and the effective dosage range to induce the behavioral alterations were, in descending order, IBMX (28.1-113 mumol/kg IP) and theophylline (139-555 mumol/kg IP). The third group, papaverine (295-1179 mumol/kg IP) and cartazolate (21.5-345 mumol/kg IP), caused only hypothermia and hypoactivity. The differences in the behavioral pattern of the two latter groups of compounds in comparison with dBcAMP and the selective cAMP PDE inhibitors are discussed with regard to their additional interference with adenosine actions besides their nonselective PDE inhibitory action.

8-phenyltheophylline: a potent P1-purinoceptor antagonist

8-Phenyltheophylline was more potent than theophylline in antagonizing the inhibitory effects of adenosine in guinea-pig driven left atrium, rabbit basilar artery and electrically stimulated guinea-pig ileum preparations. In guinea-pig atrium and ileum, the antagonism of adenosine responses by the methylxanthines is of a competitive nature, but in rabbit basilar artery it does not appear to be so. In all three preparations, the effects of theophylline and 8-phenyltheophylline could be reversed by washing. It is concluded that 8-phenyltheophylline is a more potent P1-purinoceptor antagonist than theophylline.

Attempt to antagonized the stimulatory effect or ATP on insulin secretion

An attempt was made to antagonize the stimulatory effect of ATP on insulin secretion from the isolated perfused rat pancreas. The insulin secretory effect of ATP does not seem to be mediated by cholinergic or beta-adrenergic receptors since neither atropine 0.3 micro mol/1 nor propranolol 1 micro mol/1 had any antagonistic action on insulin secretion induced by ATP (16.5 micro mol/1). Theophylline (50 micro mol/1) did not antagonize the insulin secretion evoked by ATP (16.5 micro mol/1). Apamin (10 nmol/1) was also without antagonistic action. 2-2'Pyridylisatogen tosylate (5 micro mol/1) had not effect on insulin secretion induced by glucose )8.33 mmol/1) or acetylcholine (0.5 micro mol/1 and 0.1 micro mol/1) but inhibited the insulin secretory effect of ATP (16.5 micro mol/1). Thus, the antagonism of 2-2'pyridylisatogen for ATP seems selective. We conclude that a purinoceptor of the P2-type is likely to be present on the B-cell of the rat pancreas.

Alkylxanthines elevate hippocampal excitability. Evidence for a role of endogenous adenosine

The effects of four xanthines (theophylline, 8-phenyltheophylline, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), and 7-benzyl-IBMX) were studied in the hippocampal slice in vitro. These agents increased the excitability of this preparation with 8-phenyltheophylline being the most potent, 7-benzyl-IBMX the least potent, and theophylline and IBMX having intermediate potencies. A similar rank order was observed in terms of the potencies of these xanthines in antagonizing a) electrophysiological responses to adenosine, and b) adenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. These results indicate that the excitatory actions of xanthines in the vivo hippocampus can be most easily explained on the basis of their ability to block adenosine's actions; the CNS excitatory actions of these drugs in vivo may depend upon a similar mechanism of action.

Forskolin: unique diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase in membranes and in intact cells

The diterpene, forskolin [half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), 5-10 microM] activates adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] in rat cerebral cortical membranes in a rapid and reversible manner. Activation is not dependent on exogenous guanyl nucleotides and is not inhibited by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) when assayed with adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate as substrate. GTP and GDP potentiate responses to forskolin. The activations of adenylate cyclase by forskolin and guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate p[NH]ppG are not additive, whereas activations by forskolin and fluoride are additive or partially additive. The responses of adenylate cyclase to forskolin or fluoride are not inhibited by manganese ions, whereas the response to p[NH]ppG is completely blocked. Activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin is considerably greater than the activation by fluoride in membranes from rat cerebellum, striatum, heart, and liver, while being about equal or less than the activation by fluoride in other tissues. Forskolin (EC50, 25 microM) causes a rapid and readily reversible 35-fold elevation of cyclic AMP in rat cerebral cortical slices that is not blocked by a variety of neurotransmitter antagonists. Low concentrations of forskolin (1 microM) augment the response of cyclic AMP-generating systems in brain slices to norepinephrine, isoproterenol, histamine, adenosine, prostaglandin E2, and vasoactive intestinal peptide. Forskolin would appear to activate adenylate cyclase through a unique mechanism involving both direct activation of the enzyme and facilitation or potentiation of the modulation of enzyme activity by receptors or the guanyl nucleotide-binding subunit, or both.

Adenosine receptors and behavioral actions of methylxanthines

Central stimulant actions of 10 methylxanthines in mice correlate with affinities for adenosine receptors labeled with N6-[3H]cyclohexyladenosine. Affinities of methylxanthines for adenosine receptors are consonant with central levels attained at behaviorally effective doses. The much higher concentrations of methylxanthines required to influence benzodiazepine receptor binding do not correlate with behavioral potency. N6-(L-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine (L-PIA), a metabolically stable analog of adenosine with high affinity for adenosine receptors, is an extremely potent behavioral depressant, reducing locomotor activity of mice at doses as little as 0.05 mumol/kg. The D isomer, which has much less affinity for adenosine receptors, is much less active as a central depressant. Theophylline stimulates locomotor activity and reverses depressant effects of L-PIA. Caffeine or 1,7-dimethylxanthine, when administered alone, elicits biphasic effects, with locomotor depression at lower doses and stimulation at higher doses. When administered with L-PIA, even low doses of caffeine produce marked stimulation. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine given alone elicits only behavioral depression. However, like theophylline and caffeine, isobutylmethylxanthine reverses the L-PIA-evoked depression, converting it into pronounced locomotor stimulation. The data strongly suggest that the behavioral stimulant effects of methylxanthines involve a blockade of central adenosine receptors.

Biochemical characterization of putative central purinergic receptors by using 2-chloro[3H]adenosine, a stable analog of adenosine

After pretreatment of rat brain synaptic membranes with adenosine deaminase to remove endogenous adenosine, 2-chloro[3H]adenosine, a stable analog of adenosine, binds to two sites with Kd values of 1.3 and 16 nM and corresponding Bmax values of 207 and 380 fmol/mg of protein. Binding is reversible, and the highest density of sites occurs in enriched synaptosomal fractions. In peripheral tissue, negligible binding is observed in heart, kidney, and liver, while testicle has 11 fmol of binding sites/mg of protein. In brain, caudate and hippocampus have the highest density of sites, and spinal cord and hypothalamus have the lowest. This high-affinity binding is stereospecific; the L diasteromer of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine is approximately 30-times more potent as a displacer of 2-chloro[3H]adenosine than the D isomer and is also sensitive to theophylline (IC50 = 8.8 microM) and other purine-related compounds. Several putative neurotransmitters, neurotransmitter antagonists, and other centrally active compounds have no effect on binding. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that 2-chloro[3H]adenosine is binding to central purinergic receptors.

Membrane potentials in cell-free preparations from guinea pig cerebral cortex: effect of depolarizing agents and cyclic nucleotides

The distribution of [3H]triphenylmethylphosphonium ion between the medium and vesicular entities was examined in a cell-free, particulate preparation from guinea pig cerebral cortex. This distribution followed the Nernst relationship with regard to the external potassium ion concentration and, in physiological media, indicated the maintenance of a mean trans-membrane potential ranging from -58 to -78 mV. The neurotoxins batrachotoxin, veratridine, and grayanotoxin I, partially depolarized the preparation. Tetrodotoxin blocked the depolarization by batrachotoxin, veratridine, and gray-anotoxin I. The depolarization by these neurotoxins was potentiated by the presence of anemone toxin II and presumably reflected the response of vesicular components of neuronal origin. An additional potassium-sensitive depolarization probably represented the response of vesicular components of glial origin with an apparent transmembrane potential of -8 to -35 mV. No correlation could be demonstrated between changes in transmembrane potential and stimulation of cyclic AMP generation by a variety of agents in this preparation.

Adenosine receptors in brain membranes: binding of N6-cyclohexyl[3H]adenosine and 1,3-diethyl-8-[3H]phenylxanthine

N6-Cyclohexyl[3H]adenosine ([3H]CHA) and 1,3-diethyl-8-[3H]phenylxanthine ([3H]DPX) to bind to adenosine receptors in brain membranes. The agonist [3H]CHA has high affinity in both bovine and guinea pig brain (Kd, 0.7 nM and 6 nM, respectively). [3H]CHA binding kinetics are slow (dissociation t1/2;60 min); binding is much higher at 25 degrees C than at 0 degrees C and is inhibited by guanine nucleotides. Potencies of nucleosides and xanthines in competing for [3H]CHA sites indicate that specific binding is entirely to A1 adenosine receptors. In bovine brain, the antagonist [3H]DPX exhibits high-affinity binding (Kd, 5 nM) to the same A1 receptors that bind [3H]CHA. Binding kinetics are rapid (dissociation t1/2, 1 min), and binding is moderately higher at 0 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. In guinea pig brain, [3H]DPX binding has only moderate affintiy (Kd 50 nM), and about 60% of specific binding is to sites that resemble A2 adenosine receptors.

Accumulations of cyclic AMP in adenine-labeled cell-free preparations from guinea pig cerebral cortex: role of alpha-adrenergic and H1-histaminergic receptors

Norepinephrine, histamine, adenosine, glutamate, and depolarizing agents elicit accumulations of radioactive cyclic AMP from adenine-labeled nucleotides in particulate fractions from Krebs-Ringer homogenates of guinea pig cerebral cortex. The particulate fractions contain sac-like entities, which apparently are associated with a significant portion of the membranal adenylate cyclase. Particulate fractions from sucrose homogenates are a less effective source of such responsive entities. Activation of the adenine-labeled cyclic AMP-generating systems by norepinephrine is by means of alpha-adrenergic receptors, while activation by histamine is through H1- and H2-histaminergic receptors. Adenosine responses are potentiated by the amines and are antagonized by alkylxanthines. Glutamate and depolarizing agents appear to elicit accumulations of cyclic AMP via "release" of endogenous adenosine. It is proposed, based on the virtual absence of an alpha-adrenergic or H1-histaminergic response in the presence of a combination of potent adenosine and H2-histaminergic antagonists, that alpha-adrenergic and H1-histaminergic receptor mechanisms do not activate adenylate cyclase directly in brain slices or Krebs-Ringer particulate fractions, but merely facilitate activation by beta-adrenergic, H2-histaminergic, or adenosine receptors.