Effects of ATP and related nucleotides on the tone of isolated rat mesenteric resistance arteries.

The relationship between ecto-ATPase activity and the vasoactive effect of ATP is unclear. Previously we have characterized the ectonucleoside triphosphatase activity of isolated rat mesenteric small arteries and now characterize the effect of nucleotides on the tone of these arteries. In resting arteries, ATP caused concentration-dependent contractions that were transient and could not be reproduced within 2 h. Transient contractions in response to ATP also were elicited in arteries precontracted with norepinephrine, but the potency of ATP was increased and responses to repeated stimulations could be obtained. Contractions were followed by relaxation. The response to ATP was unaffected by 100 microM theophylline, 1 microM propranolol or removal of the endothelium. Transient contractions followed by relaxation were caused also by ADP, 2-methyl-thio-ATP (2meSATP) and alpha, beta-methylene-ATP (alpha, beta-meATP). UTP caused sustained contractions, whereas GTP and ITP had little effect. The rank order of potency (alpha, beta-,mATP > ATP > ADP) suggested that P2x purinoceptors were responsible for the contractions, whereas the rank order of potency for the relaxation (alpha, beta-meATP > or = ATP > 2meSATP) was not consistent with the relaxation being mediated by P2Y purinoceptors as defined originally. Desensitization of the contractile response to ATP by alpha, beta-meATP was variable. In contrast, inhibition of the response to ATP was obtained consistently and dose-dependently with GTP.