Stimulation of glycogenolysis and vasoconstriction by adenosine and adenosine analogues in the perfused rat liver.

Infusion of adenosine into perfused rat livers resulted in transient increases in glucose output, portal-vein pressure, the effluent perfusate [lactate]/[pyruvate] ratio, and O2 consumption. 8-Phenyltheophylline (10 microM) inhibited adenosine responses, whereas dipyridamole (50 microM) potentiated the vasoconstrictive effect of adenosine. The order of potency for adenosine analogues was: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) greater than L-phenylisopropyladenosine greater than cyclohexyladenosine greater than D-phenylisopropyladenosine greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine, consistent with adenosine actions modulated through P1-purine receptors of the A2-subtype. Hepatic responses exhibited homologous desensitization in response to repeated infusion of adenosine. Adenosine effects on the liver were attenuated at lower perfusate Ca2+ concentrations. Indomethacin decreased hepatic responses to both adenosine and NECA. Whereas adenosine stimulated glycogen phosphorylase activity in isolated hepatocytes, NECA caused no effect in hepatocytes. The response to adenosine in hepatocytes was inhibited by dipyridamole (50 microM), but not 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM). The present study indicates that, although adenosine has direct effects on parenchymal cells, indirect effects of adenosine, mediated through the A2-purinergic receptors on another hepatic cell type, appear to play a role in the perfused liver.