Cardiovascular effects of adenosine and its analogs in anaesthetized rats

In order to define the purinergic receptors subtype involved in the control of cardiovascular activity, the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv 3rd ventricle) or intravenous (i.v.) injection of purinergic agonists and antagonists were evaluated on arterial blood pressure and heart rate of anaesthetized normotensive adult male rats. Adenosine (Ado) an A1 and A2 purinergic receptors agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), an A1 receptor agonist and 5'-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (CPCA), an A2 purinergic receptor agonist, were administered in rats by icv (0.01-0.05-0.1 microgram) and i.v. (0.1-0.5-1 microgram/kg) injections. The animals treated with adenosine were either pretreated with an A1 (8-cyclopenthyl-1,3-dimethylxanthine, CPT) an A2 (3,7dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine, DMPX) or an A1-A2 (aminophylline, APH) purinergic receptor antagonist by icv (0.05 microgram) or i.v. (0.5 microgram/kg) injected or not at all pretreated. Ado, CPCA and CHA produced a dose-dependent decrease in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The effects of CHA were less marked than those caused by Ado and CPCA. The icv and i.v. pretreatment with aminophylline, CPT and DMPX inhibited arterial hypotension and bradycardia induced by Ado, CHA and CPCA. The inhibitor effects of aminophylline and DMPX were stronger than those caused by CPT. These results showed that in the cerebral areas near the 3rd ventricle the purinergic system plays an important role in the control of cardiovascular function. The involvement of A2 purinergic receptors after administration of adenosine or its analogs on central and peripheral cardiovascular activity was also confirmed.