Adenosine induces a calcium-dependent glomerular contraction.

Glomeruli isolated from rat kidney cortex were incubated with adenosine in the presence or absence of verapamil and calcium and their change in cross-sectional area was recorded. Adenosine induced a 10% decrease in glomerular cross-sectional area. This decrease was blocked by verapamil or a calcium-free medium. The results suggest that the effect of adenosine in the kidney could be due to glomerular constriction, and that this constriction depends on the entry of calcium into glomerular cells.