| Abstract: | The effects of an intracoronary bolus of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), alpha, beta-methylene ATP (APCPP), beta, gamma-methylene ATP (APPCP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine on coronary tone and ventricular myocardial contraction were investigated in the perfused rat heart. Adenine nucleotides, given by bolus injection were negatively inotropic in amounts greater than 3 X 10(-7) mol. The potency order was ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP. Adenosine (less than 1 X 10(-5)mol) had no effect on ventricular myocardial contraction. Adenine nucleotides and adenosine (1 X 10(-10)-1 X 10(-7) mol) reduced coronary tone. The potency order was ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP = adenosine. The ATP analogue APPCP was less active than ATP at reducing coronary tone, and APCPP had no vasodilator effect. This suggests the presence of a P2-purinoceptor, subclass P2Y, which mediates vasodilation. ATP and ADP increased the concentration of prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha) in the perfusate, but only after injection of greater than 3 X 10(-7) mol, suggesting that the vasodilator responses to ATP and ADP were not mediated by prostacyclin. AMP and adenosine had no effect, even at 1 X 10(-5) mol. At a dose of 3 X 10(-9) mol, approximately 40% of ATP and 70% of ADP was converted to AMP and adenosine whilst passing through the heart. The amounts of AMP and adenosine formed, however, were insufficient to account for the vasodilator effects of ATP and ADP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
