title: Protective effects of adenosine in the reversibly injured heart.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is substantial evidence that the nucleoside adenosine reduces postischemic ventricular dysfunction (ie, myocardial stunning). Studies performed in our laboratory have attempted to address the mechanism of adenosine-mediated protection of the reversibly injured heart.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experiments were performed in isolated perfused rat and rabbit hearts and in in situ canine and porcine preparations. The role of adenosine A1 receptors was assessed by using adenosine A1 receptor agonists and antagonists, and by measuring interstitial fluid purine levels with the cardiac microdialysis technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In isolated perfused hearts, treatment immediately before ischemia with adenosine and adenosine A1 receptor analogues significantly improved postischemic ventricular function, effects that were blocked by a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. In in situ canine and porcine preparations, pretreatment with adenosine and an adenosine deaminase inhibitor increased preischemic interstitial fluid adenosine levels and attenuated regional myocardial stunning. Adenosine treatment was also associated with improved myocardial phosphorylation potential in isolated guinea pig hearts and in the in situ porcine preparation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that adenosine-induced attenuation of myocardial stunning is mediated via adenosine A1 receptor activation and enhancement of postischemic myocardial phosphorylation potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison 53792, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Lasley
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mentzer
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058892:Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000517:prevention & control; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D058906:Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1 / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D058892:Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitors; D058906:Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists; D058915:Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; D018047:Receptors, Purinergic P1; D000241:Adenosine