Abstract
We examined the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on the discharge of mesenteric afferent nerves supplying the jejunum in pentobarbitone sodium-anaesthetized rats.
Adenosine (0.03–10 mg kg−1, i.v.), NECA (0.3–300 μg kg−1, i.v.) and the A1 receptor agonist, GR79236 (0.3–1000 μg kg−1, i.v.), each induced dose-dependent increases in afferent nerve activity and intrajejunal pressure, hypotension and bradycardia. The A1 receptor antagonist, DPCPX (3 mg kg−1, i.v.), antagonized all the effects of GR79236 but only the haemodynamic effects of adenosine and NECA. The A2A receptor antagonist, ZM241385 (3 mg kg−1, i.v.), antagonized the hypotensive effect of NECA but none of the effects of GR79236.
The A2A receptor agonist, CGS21680 (0.3–300 μg kg−1, i.v.), and the A3 receptor agonist, IB-MECA (0.3–300 μg kg−1, i.v.), each induced only a dose-dependent hypotension. Subsequent administration of adenosine (3 mg kg−1, i.v.) induced increases in afferent nerve activity and intrajejunal pressure and bradycardia. ZM241385 (3 mg kg−1, i.v.) antagonized the hypotensive effect of CGS21680 but not the effects of adenosine.
Bethanechol (300 μg kg−1, i.v.) evoked increases in afferent nerve activity and intrajejunal pressure, hypotension and bradycardia. However, adenosine (3 mg kg−1, i.v.) evoked greater increases in afferent nerve activity than bethanechol despite inducing smaller increases in intrajejunal pressure.
In summary, A1 and A2B and/or A2B-like receptors evoke adenosine-induced increases in mesenteric afferent nerve activity and intrajejunal pressure in the anaesthetized rat. Furthermore, elevations in intrajejunal pressure do not wholly account for adenosine-evoked excitation of mesenteric afferent nerves.
Keywords: Adenosine receptors, jejunum, afferent nerves, in vivo, NECA, CGS21680, GR79236, IB-MECA, DPCPX, ZM241385
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