Therapeutic use of theophylline to antagonize renal effects of adenosine.

Experiments in laboratory animals clearly show that adenosine acts as a vasoconstrictive metabolite in the kidney. Adenosine receptor antagonists like theophylline can inhibit renal vasoconstriction in response to exogenous and endogenous adenosine. Based on these findings a number of experiments have been performed to test whether the vasoconstrictive action of adenosine in the kidney might be important also in pathophysiological states. In various animal models theophylline and other methylxanthine derivatives have been successfully employed to improve renal function after induction of acute renal failure. Clinical implications of these experimental findings comprise the prevention of acute renal failure following the administration of radio contrast media by theophylline. Another therapeutic aspect derives from experimental and clinical data showing that theophylline controls erythropoietin production in erythrocytosis after renal transplantation.