Stimulation of ATP synthesis in hypothermically perfused dog kidneys by adenosine and PO4.

During continuous hypothermic perfusion of dog kidneys there occurs a gradual decrease in ATP from about 1.4 to 0.6 mumol/g wet wt after 5 days of preservation. The loss of ATP can be prevented by including both adenosine (10 mM) and PO4 (25 mM) in the perfusate. Under these conditions kidney cortex ATP levels were more than double control values--3.5 mumol/g wet wt. Both adenosine and PO4 were necessary since omission of one substance resulted in no net synthesis of ATP. Furthermore, these high levels of ATP were obtained only if adequate concentrations of adenosine were maintained during perfusion. Following 3 days of perfusion the adenosine level in the perfusate decreased to about 1 mM and under this condition ATP levels were low. Adenosine levels were maintained in the perfusate by two methods: (1) addition of fresh perfusate or (2) pretreatment of the kidney with the adenosine deaminase inhibitor--deoxycoformycin. The increased levels of ATP appear directly related to the availability of nucleotide precursors and the presence of inhibitors of the enzymes involved in the catabolism of nucleotides and nucleosides (PO4 and deoxycoformycin). Mitochondrial activity was similar in kidneys with high or low ATP levels following 5 days of preservation.