Adenosine deaminase reduces hypoxic and hypercapnic dilatation of rat pial arterioles: evidence for mediation by adenosine.

Rat pial arteries were observed through a closed cranial window during hypercapnic and hypoxic episodes whilst the cerebral cortex was superfused at 37 degrees C first with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and subsequently with adenosine deaminase (ADA, 0.5-2.0 U/ml) in CSF. The results indicate that ADA attenuated hypercapnic and hypoxic dilatatory arteriolar responses by 64% and 56% respectively. Recovery was obtained by superfusing with ADA-free CSF for 1 h. We conclude that adenosine is involved in hypercapnia- and hypoxia-evoked dilation of pial arteries.