P1-purinoceptor-mediated vasodilatation and vasoconstriction in hypoxia.

1. The effects of adenosine receptor agonists were examined on isolated rings of guinea-pig pulmonary artery under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The rings were denuded of endothelium and tissues were precontracted with phenylephrine (3 x 10(-6) M) before constructing cumulative concentration-response curves to the agonists. 2. 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA) caused concentration-dependent contractions of the pulmonary artery which were not different between hypoxia and normoxia. The contractions were converted to a relaxation in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and again these were unaffected by hypoxia. 3. Examination of a range of agonists under normoxic conditions in the presence of indomethacin revealed relaxations, except for the A2a receptor-selective agonist, CGS 21680. The vasorelaxation was therefore A2b receptor-mediated. 4. In hypoxia, however, in the presence of indomethacin, vasoconstriction occurred to R(-)-N(6)-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (R-PIA) and, to a greater extent, to Nb-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA). In the absence of indomethacin, the constriction by CPA during hypoxia was significantly greater. 5. The indomethacin-resistant contraction by CPA was abolished by the A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (CPT, 3 x 10(-6) M). 6. This study has demonstrated cyclooxygenase-dependent and-independent vasoconstrictions to adenosine agonists in guinea-pig pulmonary artery under hypoxic conditions. The cyclooxygenase-independent contraction is mediated via A1 receptors. 7. These results suggest that endogenous adenosine released in the pulmonary circulation under hypoxic conditions will cause vasoconstriction and may contribute to the pulmonary hypertension associated with acute respiratory failure.