Stimulation of glycogenolysis in isolated hepatocytes by adenosine and one of its analogues is inhibited by caffeine

The adenosine analogues 5'-(N-ethyl)carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA) activate glycogen phosphorylase 5-fold and 4.2-fold respectively in rat hepatocytes incubated in the absence of endogenous adenosine. Half-maximally effective concentrations are 0.5 microM for NECA and 20 microM for PIA, demonstrating the presence of A2-adenosine receptors. Exogenous adenosine activates phosphorylase 4.6-fold, but high rates of adenosine disappearance from the medium render estimates of its half-maximally effective concentration unreliable. These effects of NECA and adenosine are inhibited by 0.1 mM-caffeine. Activation of phosphorylase by a physiological concentration of adenosine (3.3 microM) was 50% inhibited by a physiological concentration of caffeine (35 microM).