Role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and adenosine in functional myocardial hyperemia

To investigate the role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) and adenosine in functional myocardial hyperemia, we examined the effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and 8-p-sulfophenyltheophylline (8-SPT) on coronary vasodilation in response to increased myocardial oxygen consumption in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dogs. L-NNA significantly attenuated the increase in coronary conductance from 28 +/- 6 to 16 +/- 2% with atrial pacing, from 69 +/- 5 to 36 +/- 6% with isoproterenol, and from 25 +/- 6 to 9 +/- 4% with constriction of the aorta. 8-SPT given alone attenuated the increase in coronary conductance to the same extent as L-NNA. The combined administration of L-NNA and 8-SPT did not further change coronary conductance. These findings suggest that EDNO and adenosine play an important role in functional hyperemia. EDNO-induced functional hyperemia appears to be dependent on adenosine receptor activation.