Natural Health Products as Modulators of Adenosine and ATP Metabolism for Cardiovascular Protection

Pollen K Yeung

doi:10.4172/2329-6836.1000e109

Abstract

Adenosine is an important endogenous purine nucleoside and an essential component of the molecular energy generated from adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP). It acts as both a precursor and metabolite of adenine nucleotides. As every cell utilizes the energy generated from catabolism of ATP, adenosine is found ubiquitously in the body. It is also a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system, and its role for cardioprotection and cardiovascular homeostasis has been studied for over 80 years [1-3]. Adenosine is also known as a “homeostatic metabolite in cardiac energy metabolism” [4] owing to its wide range of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system [5] which include negative chronotropic and dromotropic effect in cardiac tissue, vasodilatation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, modulation of vascular smooth muscles and endothelium and induction of ischemic preconditioning [6]. Adenosine modulates these actions by interacting with adenosine receptors (AR), which are widely distributed throughout the body. It is believed that metabolic condition of the myocardium may be assessed quantitatively by the level of adenosine production which maintains a healthy balance between energy supply and demand in the cardiovascular system [7].

Highlights

Adenosine is an important endogenous purine nucleoside and an essential component of the molecular energy generated from adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP)
Adenosine is known as a “homeostatic metabolite in cardiac energy metabolism” [4] owing to its wide range of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system [5] which include negative chronotropic and dromotropic effect in cardiac tissue, vasodilatation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, modulation of vascular smooth muscles and endothelium and induction of ischemic preconditioning [6]
Adenosine modulates these actions by interacting with adenosine receptors (AR), which are widely distributed throughout the body

Summary

Introduction

Adenosine is an important endogenous purine nucleoside and an essential component of the molecular energy generated from adenosine 5’-triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine is known as a “homeostatic metabolite in cardiac energy metabolism” [4] owing to its wide range of beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system [5] which include negative chronotropic and dromotropic effect in cardiac tissue, vasodilatation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, modulation of vascular smooth muscles and endothelium and induction of ischemic preconditioning [6] Adenosine modulates these actions by interacting with adenosine receptors (AR), which are widely distributed throughout the body. During ischemia/hypoxia or in extremely heavy workloads, there is an increased demand of energy such that an imbalance between energy supply and demand may occur which increases ATP breakdown to produce other high energy phosphates (e.g. ADP and AMP) [15] This can cause an increase in adenosine production in the myocytes, vascular endothelium, smooth muscle cells [16] and in the RBC [17]. The adenosine released into the circulation is taken up rapidly by endothelial cells and red blood cells via nucleoside transporters and subsequently metabolized [18,19]

Adenosine Receptors and Cardiovascular Protection

Natural Health Products for Cardioprotection

Future Direction