Studies on the inhibition by beta adrenergic receptor agonists of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity of rat heart.

Isoproterenol (10(-5) and 10(-4)M) inhibited a low affinity but not a high affinity form of rat heart cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The concentrations of isoproterenol required to produce inhibition of the isolated enzyme were 10,000 to 100,000 fold larger than those required to produce a positive chronotropic response in the isolated atria. Another beta adrenergic receptor agonist, soterenol, had no effect on any of the isolated forms of the enzyme. Theophylline produced inhibition of low and high affinity forms of phosphodiesterase at the same concentrations required to produce a positive chronotropic response in the isolated atria. Results from two experimental models failed to reveal any circumstances under which a contribution to the positive chronotropic response could result from isoproterenol-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.