Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic treatment with an adenosine A1 receptor agonist on renal function. In a controlled and randomized study rats were fed for seven days with drinking water containing the highly selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA). The administration of CCPA was performed under low and high sodium chloride (NaCl) diet. For the functional characterization in conscious animals the electrolyte excretion was measured in metabolic cages. Under anesthesia renal hemodynamics (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before and after readministration of CCPA, fluid and electrolyte excretion and plasma renin activity (PRA) were examined. The measurement of RBF and GFR was performed in different experimental groups, to reduce non-recognized confounders. Furthermore, the adenosine receptor expression in the kidney was determined. The experimental groups consisted of six to eight animals.
Our investigations show that the pretreatment with CCPA for seven days does not affect the course of weight in both high and low NaCl diets. On day 1 and 7, there is no difference on urine volume and electrolyte excretion in the groups pretreated with or without CCPA. Oral administration of CCPA for seven days does not cause a sustained reduction of GFR under both NaCl diets. The pretreatment with CCPA under low NaCl diet causes a persistent reduction of PRA. Under anesthesia, CCPA applicated again intravenously (iv) leads to a comparable reduction of GFR in both pretreated and control groups. Here, pretreatment with CCPA does not induce tachyphylaxis. The decrease of GFR under low NaCl diet is more pronounced as under high NaCl diet. Under anesthesia, animals pretreated with CCPA have higher urine volumes as animals in the control groups. Animals pretreated with CCPA show a lower fractional excretion of sodium. After pretreatment with CCPA animals fed with high NaCl diet show a reduced absolute sodium excretion. The pretreatment with CCPA causes slightly elevated sodium plasma levels and decreased potassium plasma levels. Pretreatment with CCPA has no effect on heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) under anesthesia. Reapplication of CCPA (iv) induces a similar reduction in heart rate and MAP on CCPA-pretreated animals and control group. The renal blood flow and the response of the kidney to single injections of adenosine are not altered by pretreatment with CCPA. There is no difference between the CCPA and control groups under both diets. Under high NaCL diet the pretreatment with CCPA leads to a reduction of the A1 receptor expression. This effect is not observed in low NaCl diet.
In summary, the results argue against a tachyphylaxis of renal function impairment by chronic pretreatment with a highly selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist. However, the sustained stimulation of the A1 receptor with CCPA for seven days in the selected dosage has not caused a relevant impairment of renal function. If therapeutic effects can be achieved with a similar dosage, the use of adenosine A 1 agonists is not limited by renal function. The question, whether prolonged treatment or higher plasma levels of the A 1 agonist induce tachyphylaxis, can not be answered and must be content of further studies.