Age-associated decrease of dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rabbit renal artery.

Using renal arteries from young (6 months), mature (18 months) and old (70 months) rabbits, the effect of dopamine on 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) generation was studied. No significant differences in basal adenylate cyclase values were found in homogenates of renal artery from young, mature or old rabbits. The protein content of the renal artery was also unchanged during the lifespan. Dopamine stimulated the production of cAMP. The stimulatory effect of dopamine was similar in the renal artery of young and mature rabbits but was lower by about 40% in old rabbits. The present results led us to hypothesize an impairment of the peripheral dopaminergic system in old age similar to that described for the central dopaminergic system.