Adenosine modulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmission in isolated guinea-pig atria

Transmural stimulation of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic sensory nerves in guinea-pig atria, isolated from reserpine-pretreated animals, in the presence of atropine and the beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drug CGP 20712A, induced a positive inotropic effect. Adenosine (0.1-10 microM) concentration-dependently reduced the cardiac response to transmural nerve stimulation, without modifying the response to exogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide; the inhibitory effect of adenosine was antagonized by 1 microM 8-phenyltheophylline. Moreover, the cardiac response to field stimulation was enhanced by 8-phenyltheophylline (0.1, 1 microM) and by adenosine deaminase (1 microgram/ml), but was reduced by dipyridamole (1 microM). These findings indicate the presence of inhibitory adenosine receptors on cardiac sensory nerves and suggest a modulatory effect of endogenous adenosine on cardiac non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmission.