Direct assessment of renal microvascular responses to p2 purinoceptor agonists. Inscho, Edward W., Anthony K. Cook, Vy Mui, and Jason Miller. Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112
APStracts 5:0005F, 1998.
Studies were performed to determine the responsiveness of rat juxtamedullary afferent arterioles to receptor-selective P2 -purinoceptor agonists. Experiments were performed in vitro using the blood perfused juxtamedullary nephron technique combined with videomicroscopy. Renal perfusion pressure was set at 110 mmHg and held constant. Basal afferent arteriolar diameter averaged 22.0 +/- 0.6 _m (n=69). Stimulation with 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 _M ATP (n=10) elicited a concentration-dependent vasoconstriction averaging 8 +/- 2, 17 +/- 2, 21 +/- 4 and 23 +/- 5%; respectively. A nearly identical afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction was observed in response to the P2X-selective agonist [beta], _-methylene ATP (n=10); however, another P2X agonist, [alpha], [beta]-methylene ATP, evoked marked receptor desensitization (n=10). Vessel diameter decreased by approximately 7 +/- 2, 16 +/- 2, 23 +/- 3 and 22 +/- 3%; respectively, over the same concentration range. The P2Y-selective agonist, 2-methylthio ATP, evoked only a modest vasoconstriction, whereas, UTP and ATP-_-S, reduced afferent diameter markedly at concentrations above 1.0 _M. Afferent arteriolar diameter decreased by 5 +/- 4, 31 +/- 8 and 72 +/- 8% during UTP administration (n=7) at concentrations of 1.0, 10 and 100 _M; respectively. Similarly, ATP-_ -S (n=6) decreased afferent diameter by 16 +/- 2, 58 +/- 8 and 98 +/- 3%; respectively, over the same concentration range. Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition with N_-nitro-L-arginine did not significantly alter the afferent arteriolar response to ATP but did potentiate ATP -mediated arcuate artery vasoconstriction. The following data suggest the presence of multiple P2 receptors on juxtamedullary afferent arterioles and are consistent with classification of those receptors as members of the P2X and P2Y2 (P2U) receptor subtypes.

Received 10 July 1997; accepted in final form 5 January 1998.
APS Manuscript Number F227-7.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Renal Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1998 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 28 January 1998