The dihydropyridine calcium-channel agonist BayK 8644 inhibits the presynaptic effects of R-phenylisopropyl adenosine in the rat hippocampus

On the usefulness of Fura-2 measurements of intrasynaptosomal calcium levels in rat cortical synaptosomes to study mechanisms of presynaptic function

Levels of [Ca2+]i in rat cortex synaptosomes were measured using the Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. Ca2+ influx was induced by veratridine in a concentration-dependent manner (1-10 microM). The resulting increase in [Ca2+]i was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX). K+ (18 mM) increased the [Ca2+]i which was not influenced by TTX. K(+)-channel blockers such as 4-aminopyridine, alpha- and delta-dendrotoxin pre se were ineffective. The veratridine-induced Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes was reduced by L-type Ca(2+)-channel blockers, such as felodipine, nifedipine and PN-200-110, verapamil and diltiazem. omega-Conotoxin, and N-type Ca(2+)-channel blocker, did not inhibit the veratridine-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase. Bay K 8644, and L-channel agonist, stimulated an increase of [Ca2+]i in synaptosomes which was not sensitive to TTX. R-N6-Phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine (R-PIA) and clonidine, agonists at adenosine A1-receptors and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, respectively, did not influence the veratridine-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase. R-PIA did not interact with Bay K 8644-stimulated [Ca2+]i increase in synaptosomes. The results for all the substances used show major differences between the effects on Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes and on the electrically evoked neurotransmitter release in slice preparations. Thus, the synaptosome preparation is not a generally applicable experimental model for the study of Ca2+ mechanisms of presynaptic neuromodulation.

Lack of major effects on mouse brain adenosine A1 receptors of oral carbamazepine and calcium antagonists

Interaction with adenosine A1 receptors is a possible contributory mechanism to the anticonvulsant effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists. We measured the binding of [3H]cyclohexyladenosine to adenosine A1 receptors in mouse brain stem, cerebellum, and cortex after oral administration of nifedipine, nimodipine (NMD), and CBZ for 7 days and compared the results with binding in control mice. Equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and receptor numbers (Bmax) were calculated using Scatchard and saturation isotherm analyses. Mean Kds (SEM) in control brain stem, cerebellum, and cortex were 2.09 (0.31), 2.39 (0.2), and 3.12 (0.28) nM, respectively. Results of Bmax for the same areas were 188 (26), 280 (24), and 449 (54) fmol/mg protein. Nifedipine (p less than 0.005) and NMD (p less than 0.02) raised the Kd of A1 receptors only in the cerebellum, and CBZ increased cerebellar Bmax (p less than 0.05). These minor effects on A1 receptors in CF1 mice, when given in doses previously shown to have anticonvulsant properties in these animals, do not suggest that alteration in A1 receptor activity is an important mechanism for the anticonvulsant effects of these drugs.

Adenosine: a natural modulator of L-type calcium channels in atrial myocardium?

The mechanism of action of adenosine at the level of atrial myocardium has been a matter of debate. Electrophysiological studies showed that adenosine increases K+ efflux which may reduce Ca2+ influx, indirectly, by shortening the myocardial action potential. Recently some authors proposed that adenosine also depresses Ca2+ influx by a direct action on the L calcium channel, but, this effect being lower than that on voltage-dependent K+ channels, it was considered of minor importance. The effect of adenosine and its stable analogues was studied in the presence of the dihydropyridine Bay K 8644, a highly specific L-type calcium channel agonist, on isolated guinea-pig atria. The inotropic effect of the calcium channel activator was found to be antagonized by adenosine A1-receptor agonists. Binding studies showed that the effect on Bay K 8644 was not due to the interaction between adenosine analogues and dihydropyridines at the level of a common receptor site on L-type Ca2+ channels. Inhibitors of K+ channels did not antagonize the effect of adenosine analogues against Bay K 8644. Experimental conditions aimed to unmask an effect on slow Ca2+ currents (i.e. K+ depolarized paced atria), further supported that adenosine analogues may act in atria as negative modulators on L-type Ca2+ channels. Finally, the use of 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), a highly specific A1-receptor antagonist, demonstrated that the antagonism of Bay K 8644 by adenosine analogues is strictly dependent on A1 receptors. The above data support the possibility of a dual signal transduction pathway to ion channels (K+ and Ca2+) linked to A1 receptors in atrial myocardium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Depolarization-dependent actions of dihydropyridines on synaptic transmission in the in vitro rat hippocampus

Field potential and intracellular recordings were obtained in the in vitro hippocampal slice to study the effects on synaptic transmission of dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives. Nimodipine or nifedipine by itself had little effect upon the postsynaptic response as determined by field potential analysis. However, facilitation became evident when DHP application was coupled with manipulations which induced a moderate degree of membrane depolarization. In accordance with the hydrophobic nature of these compounds, extensive washing in normal Krebs' solution failed to reverse the facilitation indicating that the DHP effects outlasted the induced depolarization. Nifedipine is photolabile and its actions were reversed when intense light was applied to the slice. Application of the DHP Bay K 8644, resulted in a similar depolarization-dependent increase in neuronal excitability which, upon washout and exposure to light, was at first attenuated and then reversed, resulting in a long-lasting depression of the EPSP that was sensitive to caffeine. This depressant action of Bay K 8644 appeared to be mediated at a site presynaptic to the pyramidal cell because the postsynaptic component of the field potential response to pulsed applications of glutamate was not altered. Intracellular recording from CA1 neurons supports a presynaptic locus for the depressant actions of Bay K 8644; spike threshold for synaptically evoked responses was greatly increased while spike threshold to direct depolarization of the soma was unchanged. These results indicate that DHPs can exert effects on synaptic transmission in hippocampal brain slice under conditions of moderate membrane depolarization.

Inhibition of adenosine responses of rat hippocampal neurones by nifedipine and BAYK 8644

The application of adenosine to hippocampal slices caused a suppression of evoked population spikes in the CA1 region. This effect was enhanced by nifedipine and BAYK 8644 in control slices but was reduced by these dihydropyridines in the presence of dipyridamole. Several analogues of adenosine which are not substrates for the uptake system also depressed the population spikes in the CA1 region but these responses were inhibited by nifedipine and BAYK 8644. Other dihydropyridines including nimodipine and nitrendipine did not affect sensitivity to adenosine or its analogues. It is concluded that some agonist and antagonist dihydropyridines can inhibit adenosine uptake and thus potentiate its effects but can also antagonise receptor activation. Structural features of nifedipine and BAYK 8644 may be specific for a population of dihydropyridine receptors closely linked functionally with the adenosine receptor.

Involvement of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in adenosine-evoked inhibition of acetylcholine release from guinea pig ileal preparation

The effects of adenosine and nifedipine on endogenous acetylcholine (ACh) release evoked by electrical stimulation from guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle preparations exposed to physostigmine were evaluated using an HPLC with electrochemical detection (ECD) system. Resting ACh release, which was sensitive to tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM), was enhanced by Bay K 8644 (0.5 microM; a Ca2+ antagonist) or 4-aminopyridine (30 microM; a K+ channel blocker) but not by theophylline (100 microM; a P1 purinoceptor antagonist) or atropine (0.3 microM). The enhancement of the resting ACh release by Bay K 8644 was virtually unaffected by atropine. Electrically evoked ACh release was enhanced by around two- to fourfold in the presence of theophylline, atropine, Bay K 8644, 4-aminopyridine, or atropine. On the other hand, the evoked ACh release was reduced by adenosine (10-30 microM), nifedipine (0.1-0.3 microM; a dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel antagonist), or bethanechol (1-3 microM) in a concentration-related fashion. The reduction induced by adenosine or nifedipine was almost abolished by either theophylline or Bay K 8644, whereas that induced by bethanechol was virtually unaffected by these drugs. The inhibition by adenosine of ACh release was not influenced in the presence of 4-aminopyridine or atropine. However, this inhibition by adenosine was considerably enhanced by halving the Ca2+ concentration in the Krebs solution and was diminished by doubling the Ca2+ concentration. These findings suggest that adenosine produces a cholinergic neuromodulation presumably via modifying dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channel activities in the cholinergic neurons, and thus L-type Ca2+ channels may exist on the nerve terminals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine receptors in cortical-derived vesicles of the rat: studies on binding sites and accumulation of cyclic AMP

A vesicular preparation derived from the cerebral cortex of the rat was used to obtain, under the same experimental condition, binding parameters and stimulation data for cyclic AMP. Two analogues of adenosine were employed in the binding studies: [3H]NECA, a mixed A1/A2 agonist and [3H]CHA, a more selective A1 agonist. The [3H]CHA seemed to bind to a single high affinity site (Kd = 1.31 nM, Bmax = 0.327 pmol bound); saturation data for [3H]NECA were resolved for the presence of a high and a low affinity binding site (Kd1 = 3.08 nM, Bmax1 0.115 pmol bound; Kd2 = 204 nM, Bmax2 1.59 pmol bound), but only when calcium ions were omitted from the incubation medium. At 0 degree C, [3H]NECA bound to a single, low affinity site; the presence of calcium ions (1 mM) significantly reduced the affinity of [3H]NECA (Kd 419 nM), with respect to the absence of calcium (Kd 208 nM), without affecting the Bmax value. The influence of calcium ions was also investigated on the binding of [3H]CHA and a reduction of the Bmax value (36%) was found. Regardless of the presence or the absence of calcium ions, NECA stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in a dose-dependent way with an EC50 of 2.79 microM; this value did not correlate with the Kd of the low affinity binding site for [3H]NECA. Thus, the purpose of establishing a correlation between binding sites for analogues of adenosine and the site in the cerebral cortex through which the accumulation of cyclic AMP is induced, was not achieved. It is concluded that the stimulatory effect of analogues of adenosine on adenylate cyclase might not be a receptor-mediated effect. The complex influence of calcium ions on affinity and binding capacity of analogues of adenosine is discussed.

In vivo and in vitro evidence of an adenosine-mediated mechanism of calcium entry blocker activities

Drugs such as dipyridamole (200 micrograms/kg/min), an adenosine uptake inhibitor, and theophylline (300 micrograms/kg/min), an adenosine receptor antagonist, respectively increased and decreased postischemic hyperemia in normal subjects, as well as in POAD patients. Moreover, dipyridamole pretreatment was able to antagonize the reduction of peak flow induced by nifedipine, and the potentiating effect of flunarizine on postischemic hyperemia was affected significantly by theophylline, thus suggesting a possible interference of calcium entry blocker drugs with the endogenous adenosine system. In a cellular model (polymorphonuclear leukocytes--PMN) the inhibitory effect of calcium entry blockers on stimulated functions (degranulation and free radical production) was highly antagonized by theophylline. Finally, a 1H-NMR spectroscopy study showed a binding interaction between adenosine and flunarizine on the cell membrane. An adenosine-receptor coupling to the calcium entry blocker channels is suggested.

Adenosine receptors linked to adenylate cyclase activity in human neuroblastoma cells: modulation during cell differentiation

In IMR32 neuroblastoma cells, the two adenosine receptor agonists N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine dose-dependently stimulated membrane adenylate cyclase activity with potencies consistent with the presence of adenosine receptors of the A2-subtype. The S enantiomer of N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine induced a significantly lower stimulation of adenylate cyclase, accordingly to its lower ability to activate adenosine receptors. These effects were selectively counteracted by the adenosine receptor antagonist theophylline and, conversely, were not affected by the A1-adenosine receptor selective blocker 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine. No adenosine receptors belonging to the A1-subtype seem, therefore, to be present in this cell line, as also shown by the lack of inhibitory activity of N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine on both basal and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Activation of A2-receptors did not modify intracellular basal calcium levels, did not influence calcium influx through voltage-dependent calcium channels and did not modify calcium influx and redistribution induced by muscarinic receptor activation. Prolonged exposure of cells to either N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine or 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine was associated with a small but significant degree of morphological differentiation, comparable to that induced by dibutyryl cAMP, and therefore presumably related to the prolonged increase of intracellular cAMP levels elicited by the two adenosine agonists. After cellular differentiation induced with either dibutyryl cAMP or 5-bromodeoxyuridine, a selective desensitization of A2-receptor stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence that prejunctional adenosine receptors regulating acetylcholine release from rat hippocampal slices are linked to an N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive G-protein, but not to adenylate cyclase or dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+-channels

Electrically evoked [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) release from slices of the rat hippocampus was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by the adenosine A1-receptor agonist R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) in the concentration range 0.1-10 microM. The maximal effect was observed with 1 microM R-PIA. Treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM, 100 microM, 10 min), which inactivates nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), caused a slight increase in the basal overflow (0.17 +/- 0.01% v. 0.10 +/- 0.003% in the control slices), but did not affect stimulated release (0.73 +/- 0.05% vs. 0.74 +/- 0.03% in the control slices). N-ethylmaleimide pretreatment significantly reduced the prejunctional inhibitory effect of R-PIA on [3H]ACh release in a non-competitive manner. The S2/S1 ratio was 0.92 +/- 0.03 in controls and was reduced to 0.32 +/- 0.02 by 1 microM R-PIA in the control slices and to 0.57 +/- 0.03 after NEM pretreatment. Stimulation of cyclic AMP-accumulation by forskolin (1 microM) and rolipram (30 microM) before the second stimulation (S2) enhanced the S2/S1 ratio by about 30% to 1.26 +/- 0.12, but did not reduce the inhibitory effect of R-PIA (1 microM). The Ca2+-channel agonist Bay K 86(44) (1 microM), a concentration that increases K+-evoked noradrenaline release, did not affect the basal or electrically evoked [3H]ACh overflow, or the prejunctional effects of R-PIA (0.1 and 1 microM) on [3H]ACh release. Our results suggest that the presynaptic inhibitory effects of A1-receptor agonists on [3H]ACh release are exerted via a nucleotide-binding protein that can be inhibited by NEM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interaction of dihydropyridine calcium channel agonists and antagonists with adenosine receptors

We have confirmed our previous (Fredholm et al. 1986a) finding that the dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 can displace [3H]-R-PIA from its binding site, the adenosine A1-receptor. Bay K 8644 had an apparent Ki of 5.2 X 10(-6) M. The effect was shared by the two dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists nifedipine and felodipine (Ki 4.2 and 8.7 X 10(-6) M, respectively). By contrast, two non-dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists, verapamil and diltiazem, did not affect binding. Bay K 8644 displaced [3H]-R-PIA from its binding sites in a solubilized preparation. [3H]-XAC, a novel, potent A1-receptor antagonist ligand, was also displaced by the dihydropyridine compounds with a similar or slightly higher potency as the displacement of R-PIA. This suggests a direct interaction with the adenosine receptor rather than an effect on regulatory GTP-binding proteins. However, at 1 mumol/l neither Bay K 8644 nor nifedipine significantly attenuated cyclic AMP accumulation in rat hippocampi or the R-PIA-mediated adenylate cyclase inhibition. The results show that dihydropyridine compounds that act as agonists or antagonists on L-type calcium channels can also affect adenosine receptors. The potency of the compounds for this effect is much lower than their potency as calcium channel agonists or antagonists. The results may therefore be of more experimental than clinical significance.