Abstract
Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic substance particularly effective in catecholamine-dependent tachycardias. Although endogenous adenosine substantially accumulates in catecholamine-stimulated hearts, little is known about the antiarrhythmic potency of endogenous adenosine in this condition. Therefore, we sought to demonstrate a potential antifibrillatory effect of endogenous adenosine either by blockade of adenosine receptors with 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) or by suppression of endogenous adenosine release with nitrobenzyl-6-thioinosine (NBTI). The study was performed in spontaneously beating Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Adenosine release into the effluent was determined by HPLC methods. Catecholamine stimulation was induced by perfusing the hearts with norepinephrine (1 μmol/l) for 30 min, which caused ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 31% and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in 25% of control hearts (n=35). When 8-PT (10 μmol/l) was added to the perfusion buffer prior to norepinephrine, the incidence of VT and VF increased to 79 and 68%, respectively. The addition of 8-PT did not affect the catecholamine-dependent formation of adenosine. Perfusion of the hearts with NBTI (10 μmol/l) prior to norepinephrine reduced adenosine release and increased the occurrence of both VT (65%) and VF (40%). In summary, the results indicate that adenosine is an endogenous antiarrhythmic substance, which accumulates in catecholamine-stimulated myocardium to a level, which effectively suppresses the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 26 November 1997, Returned for 1. revision: 18 December 1997, 1. Revision received: 15 January 1998, Returned for 2. revision: 29 January 1998, 2. Revision received: 18 February 1998, Accepted: 18 February 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Görge, B., Kurz, T., Katus, H. et al. Endogenous adenosine suppresses norepinephrine-induced ventricular arrhythmias in rat heart. Basic Res Cardiol 93, 264–268 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003950050094
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003950050094