Stimulatory effect of adenosine on hepatic adenine nucleotide and energy charge levels in shocked rats.

In hemorrhagic shocked rats, the hepatic energy charge (ATP+1/2ADP)/(ATP+ADP+AMP) fell rapidly from 0.857 to 0.542 within 2 hours and was rapidly restored to normal levels after completing the reinfusion of shed blood. The total adenine nucleotide levels decreased slowly from 3.83 to 2.57 mumoles per g wet liver 2 hours after shock, and increased to normal levels 2 hours after reinfusion of shed blood. The intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg adenosine/100g body weight, 85 mg glucose/100 g body weight and 3.3 units insulin/100 g body weight, simultaneously with the reinfusion of shed blood, enhanced the recovery of energy charge and adenine nucleotide levels. The injection of 2 mg adenosine alone was ineffective in restoring the energy charge. However, administration of more than 6.7 mg adenosine/100 g body weight enhanced recovery of energy charge and adenine nucleotide levels, whether insulin was added or not.