Inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis in endothelial cells by methylisobutylxanthine is not mediated through elevated cAMP level.

Methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) raised cAMP levels and inhibited prostacyclin synthesis and arachidonic acid release in endothelial cells from both pig aorta and human umbilical vein. These effects were reversible and dose dependent on MIX concentrations. Dibutyryl cAMP (3 mM) alone did not inhibit prostacyclin synthesis or arachidonic acid release. When added with MIX, dibutyryl cAMP did not enhance the inhibition elicited by MIX. MIX inhibited the formation of lysophospholipids, 1,2-diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid in bradykinin-stimulated pig endothelial cells, suggesting that the inhibition of prostacyclin synthesis resulted from an apparent inhibition of both phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C. Other phosphodiesterase inhibitors, theophylline and mopidamole, also raised cAMP levels and inhibited arachidonic acid release. However, there was no correlation between cAMP levels and these inhibitions. Forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, elevated intracellular cAMP levels with no apparent inhibition on prostacyclin synthesis. We conclude that the inhibitory effect of MIX on phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C is probably through mechanisms other than the elevation of the cAMP level.