Adenosine - Pharmacological Effects

Pharmacological Effects

Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside that modulates many physiological processes. Cellular signaling by adenosine occurs through four known adenosine receptor subtypes (A₁, A_2A, A_2B, and A₃).

Extracellular adenosine concentrations from normal cells are approximately 300 nM; however, in response to cellular damage (e.g. in inflammatory or ischemic tissue), these concentrations are quickly elevated (600–1,200 nM). Thus, in regard to stress or injury, the function of adenosine is primarily that of cytoprotection preventing tissue damage during instances of hypoxia, ischemia, and seizure activity. Activation of A_2A receptors produces a constellation of responses that in general can be classified as anti-inflammatory.

In the USA, Adenosine is marketed as Adenocard.