Adenosine participates in regulation of smooth muscle relaxation in aortas from rats with experimental hypothyroidism Article uri icon

abstract

  • The contribution of adenosine receptors was evaluated in vascular relaxation in experimental hypothyroidism. Hypothyroid aortic rings contracted less than normal controls with noradrenaline, phenylephrine, and KCl; the difference was maintained after incubation with 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine (an A1 and A2 adenosine receptor blocker). The vascular relaxation induced by acetylcholine or carbachol was similar in normal and hypothyroid aortic rings. However, adenosine, N6-cyclopentyladenosine (an A1 adenosine receptor analogue), and 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (an A2 and A3 adenosine analogue) induced vasodilation that was larger in hypothyroid than in normal aortas. Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester shifted the dose-response curves of adenosine, N6-cyclopentyladenosine, or 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine to the right in both normal and hypothyroid vessels. The blocker 1,3-dipropyl-8-p- sulfophenylxanthine significantly reduced adenosine-induced relaxation in the hypothyroid but not in the normal aortic vessels. These results suggest that in hypothyroid aortas, a larger adenosine-mediated vasodilation is observed probably due to an increase in receptor number or sensitivity.

publication date

  • 2002-01-01