Adenosine A1 and non-A1 receptors: intracellular analysis of the actions of adenosine agonists and antagonists in rat hippocampal neurons.

Adenosine and its agonists exert a depressant effect on neuronal activity by interacting with the adenosine A1 receptor. There is now also evidence for electrophysiological effects mediated by adenosine receptors other than the A1 type, possibly A2 receptors. A1 and A2 receptor-induced changes in the electrical properties of neuronal membranes were investigated by intracellularly recording from rat hippocampal CA1 neurons and using the adenosine agonists, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and R-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), and the unselective A1 and A2 receptor antagonist, theophylline and the selective A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopenthyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX). PIA and NECA produced an inhibitory effect which was blocked by DPCPX and thus was mediated by A1 receptors. PIA produced inhibition at lower concentrations (0.1-1 mumol/l) than NECA (0.5-10 mumol/l), whereas at high concentrations (2.5 mumol/l) it exerted a dual effect, i.e. either an inhibitory or an excitatory one. During simultaneous perfusion with the A1 receptor antagonist DPCPX, PIA produced concentration-dependent excitatory effects at concentrations above 1 mumol/l. These excitatory effects were blocked by theophylline. DPCPX produced excitation that was enhanced by NECA. Forskolin caused no change in the membrane properties. It is concluded that (1) NECA and PIA affect the membrane properties not only by an action on the A1 but also on non-A1 receptors, because the excitatory effects of PIA and NECA were insensitive to DPCPX and abolished by theophylline; (2) PIA and NECA are more potent at A1 than at A2 receptors; (3) PIA is more potent than NECA at A1 and A2 receptors; (4) effects mediated by A2 receptors prevail over those mediated by A1 receptors when A2 receptors are activated; and (5) the non-A1 receptor-mediated effects are independent of an increased formation of cAMP.