The effects of amrinone on transport and cyclic AMP metabolism in toad urinary bladder

Amrinone is a new noncatechol, nonglycoside agent with cardiotonic and vasodilator properties. This paper examines the effects of amrinone in the toad urinary bladder, a tissue whose function may be altered by many factors which also change cardiovascular activity. Amrinone enhanced the effect of vasopressin and cyclic AMP on water and urea permeabilities, as well as the effect of vasopressin on sodium transport. Consistent with these actions, amrinone inhibited cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in epithelial homogenates and increased both cyclic AMP content and the protein kinase activity ratio measured in intact epithelial cells. The inhibitory effect of amrinone on phosphodiesterase may be relevant to its cardiostimulatory and vasodilator activities.