Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of the cardiovascular effects of R- and S-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine in conscious normotensive rats.

Recently, the commercially available adenosine receptor agonist S-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (S-PIA) has been demonstrated to be contaminated with the more potent R-diastereomer. The potency of S-PIA may therefore have been overestimated in previously published in vivo studies. Our objective was to determine the potency of both diastereomers in conscious normotensive rats by using an integrated pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. In a cross-over designed study, the animals received i.v. infusions of 177 micrograms/kg (0.51 mumol/kg) R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) and 4000 micrograms/kg (11.6 mumol/kg) S-PIA. The infusion of S-PIA corresponded to a simultaneous administration of 3823 micrograms/kg (11.1 mumol/kg) and 177 micrograms/kg (0.51 mumol/kg) of the S- and R-diastereomer, respectively. During the experiment, time courses of heart rate and blood pressure were recorded continuously. Serial arterial blood samples were collected and concentrations were determined by using a stereoselective high-performance liquid chromatography assay. After administration of R-PIA, the individual concentration-effect relationships could be quantified by the sigmoidal Emax model, yielding an EC50 value of 24 +/- 3 ng/ml for the reduction in heart rate (mean +/- S.E., n = 12). After administration of S-PIA, a similar EC50 value was obtained when heart rate was correlated to concentrations of R-PIA. Modelling of the concentration-effect data according to a competitive interaction model did not yield pharmacodynamic parameter estimates for S-PIA. In conclusion, the cardiovascular effects observed after infusion of S-PIA may be attributed entirely to the presence of R-PIA.