Protective Effects Of Adenosine Research Articles

High-throughput transcriptome sequencing reveals the protective role of adenosine receptor-related genes in paraquat-exposed Caenorhabditis elegans.

This study sought to identify the genes associated with adenosine's protective action against paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress via the adenosine receptor (ADOR-1) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The C. elegans was divided into 3 groups-2 groups exposed to PQ, one in presence, and one in absence of adenosine-and a control group that was not treated. Each group's total RNA was extracted and sequenced. When the transcriptomes of these groups were analyzed, several genes were found to be differently expressed. These differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in adenosine-response biological processes and pathways, including gene ontology terms related to neuropeptide and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways associated to cAMP pathway regulator activity. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR confirmed that G-protein-coupled receptors signaling pathway involving dop-1, egl-30, unc-13, kin-1, and goa-1 genes may play crucial roles in modulating adenosine's protective action. Interestingly, there are no significant variations in the expression of the ador-1 gene across the 3 treatments, thereby indicating that adenosine receptor exerts a consistent and stable influence on its related pathways irrespective of the presence or absence of PQ. Furthermore, the wild-type group with ador-1 gene has higher survival rate than that of the ador-1-/RNA interference group while treated with PQ in the presence of adenosine. Conclusively, our study uncovered a number of novel PQ-response genes and adenosine receptor-related genes in C. elegans, which may function as major regulators of PQ-induced oxidative stress and indicate the possible protective effects of adenosine.

Neuroprotective effects of adenosine isolated from Cordyceps cicadae against oxidative and ER stress damages induced by glutamate in PC12 cells.

Glutamate has been proven to induce oxidative stress through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased calcium overload which results in neuronal injury, development of neurodegenerative diseases and death. Adenosine is one of the bioactive nucleosides found in Cordyceps cicadae and it has displayed several pharmacological activities including neuroprotection. In this study, the protective effects of adenosine from C. cicadae against glutamate-induce oxidative stress in PC12 cells were evaluated. The exposure of PC12 cells to glutamate (5mM) induced the formation of ROS, increased Ca(2+) influx, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and up regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax. However, pretreatment with adenosine markedly increased cell viability, decreased the elevated levels of ROS and Ca(2+) induced by glutamate. Furthermore adenosine increased the activities of GSH-Px and SOD, as well as retained mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced the expression of ERK, p38, and JNK. Overall, our results suggest that adenosine may be a promising potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

LB023-SUN: Protective Effects of Adenosine in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Rat Colitis Model

LB023-SUN: Protective Effects of Adenosine in Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Rat Colitis Model

Protection of renal tubules against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:It seems that renal tubular damages in acute renal failure involved in gentamicin nephrotoxicity or ischemia/reperfusion mainly induced by increasing of reactive oxygen species (oxidative stress). According to this attitude, many researchers have been used different antioxidant agents in combat with gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Treatment of animal with metformin against gentamicin revealed that gentamicin might be induced renal tubular damages via energy depletion in renal tubular cells besides inducing of oxidative stress. More studies are needed to clarify renal protective effect of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator such as metformin in combat with gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

Protective effects of adenosine on the diabetic myocardium against ischemia–reperfusion injury: Role of calpain

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) is the principal cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, there is no specific measure available to protect diabetic hearts in this clinical setting. Our clinical studies showed that adenosine pre-treatment or post-treatment and adding adenosine to cardioplegia solution had significant myocardial protective effects in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the specific protective effects and mechanisms of adenosine in diabetic myocardial I/RI are not clear. Calpain is an important proteolytic enzyme in the myocardium. Studies show that the activation of calpain is an injury factor in not only the diabetic myocardium but also myocardial I/RI progression. We therefore hypothesize that adenosine play a protective role in diabetic myocardial I/RI through the inhibition of calpain.

Protective effects of adenosine in rabbit sinoatrial node ischemia–reperfusion model in vivo: control of arrhythmia by hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN)4 channels

Disturbance of cardiac rhythm is one of the consequences of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Many researchers have prompted considerable interests in developing therapeutic approaches for its control. In present study, we want to determine whether that adenosine pre- and postconditioning have protective effects on sinoatrial node ischemia/reperfusion injury on morphology, arrhythmia score, serological markers (CK-MB and cTnT), SOD activities, MDA levels and expression of HCN4 channels in SA node cells. According to the arrhythmia score recorded, whether adenosine used in terms of ischemia or reperfusion, the total number of arrhythmia was significantly reduced, as well as the number of its episodes was also markedly decreased. We have also shown a clear correlation between HCN4 channels expression and the dysfunction of SA node cells. HCN4 immunoreactivity decreased after adenosine pre- and postconditioning, but changes were significantly smaller in the cells of the SA node compared with cells of I/R group. The content of cTnT, CK-MB and MDA in adenosine pre- and postconditioning group reduced significantly; but the level of SOD increased significantly. Histological examination and electron microscopy observations found in adenosine pre- and postconditioning group sinoatrial node injury also mitigated. These findings suggested that adenosine pre- or postconditioning were to reduce the incidence of ischemia/reperfusion arrhythmias, reduce myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. The mechanism was to stabilize the SA node cells membrane and one possible mechanism involves modulation of HCN4 channels in pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node.

Adenosine protects against hypoxic injury at hypothermia in guinea pig papillary muscles

Objectives. To investigate the protective effects of adenosine against hypoxic injury at hypothermia; both magnitude and mechanisms. Design. Receptor versus non-receptor dependent mechanisms in cardioprotection by adenosine were examined in guinea pig papillary muscles exposed to glucose free hypoxia at 24°C. Contractile force amplitude (CFA) and action potential duration (APD) during increasing concentrations of adenosine at 37°C, 30°C and 24°C normoxia were also examined. Results. CFA was significantly improved after adenosine treatment during hypothermic hypoxia compared to control (80.7±17.4% vs 40.5±10.7%, p<0.001). Adenosine receptor antagonist SPT did not antagonize (64.6±21.1%), and adenosine receptor agonists (APNEA+NECA) could not mimic the cardioprotection (53.8±9.3%). MitoKCa blocker paxilline antagonized the cardioprotection (40.0±7.7%). During normoxic conditions hypothermia-induced increase in CFA was significantly decreased by adenosine (0.12–12 mM) whereas the increase in action potential duration was potentiated. Conclusion. Adenosine (1.2 mM) had marked cardioprotective effect in hypothermic substrate free hypoxia. Possible mechanisms are non-receptor dependent and related to mitoKCa channels. The cardiodepressive effect at hypothermia may contribute to cardioplegia.

Abstract 1582: Adenosine A3 Receptor Deficiency Exerts Unanticipated Protective Effects on Pressure Overloaded-Induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dysfunction in Mice

Endogenous adenosine can protect the overloaded heart against the development of hypertrophy and heart failure, but the contribution of A 1 receptors (A 1 R) and A 3 receptors(A 3 R) is not known. To test the hypothesis A 1 R and A 3 R can protect the heart against systolic overload, we exposed A 3 R gene deficient (A 3 R KO) mice and A 1 R KO mice to transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Contrary to our hypothesis, A 3 R KO attenuated 5 weeks TAC-induced left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (ratio of ventricular mass/body weight increased to 7.6 ±0.3 mg/g in wild type (Wt) mice as compared with 6.3±0.4 mg/g in KO), fibrosis and dysfunction (LV ejection fraction decreased to 43±2.5% and 55±4.2% in Wt and KO mice, respectively). A 3 R KO also attenuated the TAC-induced increases of myocardial ANP and the oxidative stress markers 3-nitrotyrosine(3-NT ) and 4-hydroxynonenal. In addition, A 3 R KO significantly attenuated TAC-induced activation of multiple MAP kinase pathways, and the activation of Akt-GSK signaling pathway. In contrast, A 1 R-KO increased TAC-induced mortality, but did not alter ventricular hypertrophy or dysfunction compared to Wt mice. In mice in which extracellular adenosine production was impaired by CD73 KO, TAC caused greater hypertrophy and dysfunction, and increased myocardial 3-NT, indicates that extracellular adenosine protects heart against TAC-induced ventricular oxidative stress and hypertrophy. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced to hypertrophy with phenylephrine, the adenosine analogue 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) reduced cell area, protein synthesis, ANP and 3-NT. Antagonism of A3R significantly potentiated the anti-hypertrophic effects of CADO. Our data demonstrated that extracellular adenosine exerts protective effects on the overloaded heart, but A 3 R act counter to the protective effect of adenosine. The data suggest that selective attenuation of A 3 R activity might be a novel approach to attenuate pressure overload-induced myocardial oxidative stress, LV hypertrophy and dysfunction. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA Midwest Affiliate (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota &amp; Wisconsin).

Protective Mechanism of Adenosine to the Rat Arterial Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide

This study was designed to examine the in vitro effects of adenosine (Ado) on hydrogen peroxide-induced endothelial dysfunction in rats. Endothelial dysfunction was induced by exposing isolated rat mesenteric arteries to hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mM) for 12 h using an organ culture system. The protective effects of adenosine were tested by exposing isolated mesenteric arteries to adenosine (3 x 10(-7) mol/l, 10(-6) mol/l, 3 x 10(-6) mol/l)+hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mM) for 12 h. This exposure to hydrogen peroxide induced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR). Coculture of segments of mesenteric artery with adenosine (3 x 10(-7), 10(-6), and 3 x 10(-6) mol/l) attenuated the hydrogen peroxide-induced impairment of vasorelaxation. This impairment was accompanied by a reduction in nitrite/nitrate, nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and an increasing in malondislehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in the aorta. These results indicate that adenosine can be used to attenuate hydrogen peroxide-induced endothelial dysfunction, an effect that may be related to antioxidation, thus enhancing NO production by preventing the decrease in NOS.

Effects of postconditioning of adenosine and acetylcholine on the ischemic isolated rat ventricular myocytes

In this study, protective effects of adenosine and acetylcholine-induced postconditioning were investigated on the contractile function of the ischemic isolated rat ventricular myocytes. A video-based edge-detection system was used to monitor single ventricular myocytes contraction. Adenosine and acetylcholine were administrated for 6 min before ischemia as preconditioning, or 15 min after ischemia as postconditioning. Adenosine and acetylcholine receptor antagonists and mitoK ATP inhibitor were used to analyze pathways underlying the effects on postconditioning. Results: (1) The peak shortening of ischemic heart cells was improved by both adenosine and acetylcholine during preconditioning (84.72 ± 5.34% and 68.61 ± 8.10% vs. control: 8.43 ± 5.35% of the pre-ischemia value), as well as postconditioning (76.47 ± 7.87% and 57.48 ± 6.97% vs. control: 8.43 ± 5.35% of the pre-ischemia value) and the effects of preconditioning and postconditioning were comparable. More datum in the normal text. (2) Observed effects of adenosine and acetylcholine postconditioning were missing in the presence of adenosine A 1 receptor and muscarinic M 2 receptor antagonists, respectively. (3) Adenosine and acetylcholine-induced postconditioning was also blocked by mitoK ATP antagonist. These results suggest that both adenosine and acetylcholine protect the contractile function of ischemic heart cells to a similar extent during preconditioning and postconditioning. The postconditioning of adenosine and acetylcholine is relative to the adenosine A 1 and muscarinic M 2 receptors, respectively. MitoK ATP is implicated in the postconditioning of both acetylcholine and adenosine.

Cardioprotection With Adenosine A2 Receptor Activation at Reperfusion

Pre-ischemic treatment is seldom possible in the clinical setting of acute myocardial infarction. Thus, to successfully save myocardium from infarction, it is required that protective interventions must be effective when applied after ischemia has begun or at the onset of reperfusion. Unfortunately, in spite of a large body of experimental data showing that various interventions are cardioprotective at reperfusion, no specific therapy has yet been established to be clinically applicable. However, recent data from several laboratories have shown that adenosine and its analogues given at reperfusion can markedly protect the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury. While the experimental data suggest that factors such as adenosine A2 receptor activation, anti-neutrophil effect, attenuation of free radical generation, increased nitric oxide (NO) availability, activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and ERK, prevention of mitochondrial damage, and anti-apoptotic effects may be involved in the protective effect of adenosine or its analogues, the exact receptor subtype(s), the detailed signaling mechanisms, and interaction between those individual factors are still unknown. A definite answer to these unsolved problems will offer insights into the mechanisms of cardioprotection at reperfusion, and will be critical for developing a successful therapeutic strategy to salvage ischemic myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Adenosine-Stimulated Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Release Through A 1 Receptor Subtype

Adenosine acts as an important protector of ischemic myocardium through coronary vasodilation and the depression of cardiac contractility. The protective effect of adenosine may partly relate to the cardiac hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of adenosine and the adenosine receptor subtype on atrial hemodynamics and ANP release using isolated perfused beating rat atria. Adenosine, a nonselective adenosine receptor agonist, increased the ANP release with negative inotropism in a dose-dependent manner. Adenosine-stimulated ANP release was attenuated by a selective A1 antagonist but not A(2A) antagonist or A3 antagonist. The order of potency of the various agonists for the ANP release was A1 agonists>>A3 agonist=adenosine>A(2A) agonist. The order of potency for the negative inotropy was A1 agonists>adenosine=A(2A) agonist>A3 agonist. The negative inotropism and ANP release by a specific A1 agonist (N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine) were also attenuated by A1 antagonist but not A(2A) antagonist or A3 antagonist. Treatment with A1 agonist resulted in a decrease of cAMP contents in atria and perfusates. The agonist-stimulated ANP release was significantly attenuated in the presence of forskolin, isoproterenol 8-Br-cAMP, or an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor. These results suggest that the A1 receptor subtype is responsible for the adenosine-induced ANP release and negative inotropism through adenylyl cyclase-cAMP pathway.

Adenosine produces nitric oxide and prevents mitochondrial oxidant damage in rat cardiomyocytes

To examine if adenosine prevents oxidant-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by producing nitric oxide (NO) in cardiomyocytes. Adenosine significantly enhanced the fluorescence of DAF-FM, a dye specific for NO, implying that adenosine induces synthesis of NO. Adenosine-induced NO production was blocked by both the nonspecific NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and N(5)-(1-Iminoethyl)-l-ornithine dihydrochloride (l-NIO), an inhibitor of endothelial NOS (eNOS), but not by N(6)-(1-Iminoethyl)-l-lysine hydrochloride (l-NIL), an inhibitor of inducible NOS (iNOS), indicating that adenosine activates eNOS. Adenosine also enhances eNOS phosphorylation and its activity. The adenosine A(2) receptor antagonist 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine but not the A(1) antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine prevented the increase in NO production. CGS21680, an adenosine A(2) receptor agonist, markedly increased NO, further supporting the involvement of A(2) receptors. Adenosine-induced NO production was blocked by 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine (PP2), a selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suggesting that Src tyrosine kinase is crucial for adenosine-induced NO production. Adenosine-induced NO production was partially reversed by both wortmannin and Akt inhibitor indicating an involvement of PI3-kinase/Akt. Pretreatment of cells with adenosine prevented H(2)O(2)-induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)). The protective effect was blocked by l-NAME and l-NIO but not by l-NIL, indicating that eNOS plays a role in the action of adenosine. The protective effect of adenosine was further suppressed by KT5823, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase G (PKG), indicating the PKG may serve as a downstream target of adenosine. Adenosine protects mitochondria from oxidant damage through a pathway involving A(2) receptors, eNOS, NO, PI3-kinase/Akt, and Src tyrosine kinase.

Effects of adenosine and adenosine A2A receptor agonist on motor nerve conduction velocity and nerve blood flow in experimental diabetic neuropathy

This study examined the effects of chronic administration of adenosine and CGS 21680 hydrochloride (adenosine A2A receptor agonist) on motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), nerve blood flow (NBF) and histology of sciatic nerve in animal model of diabetic neuropathy. Adenosinergic agents were administered for 2 weeks after 6 weeks of streptozotocin-induced (50 mg/kg i.p.) diabetes in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Significant reduction in sciatic MNCV and NBF were observed after 8 weeks in diabetic animals in comparison with control (non diabetic) rats. Adenosine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly improved sciatic MNCV and NBF in diabetic rats. The protective effect of adenosine on MNCV and NBF was completely reversed by theophylline (50 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, suggesting that the adenosine effect was mediated via adenosinergic receptors. CGS 21680 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly improved NBF; however, MNCV was not significantly improved in diabetic rats. At a dose of 1 mg/kg, neither MNCV nor NBF was improved by CGS 21680 in diabetic rats. ZM 241385 (adenosine A2A receptor antagonist) prevented the effect of CGS 21680 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.). Histological changes observed in sciatic nerve were partially improved by the adenosinergic agents in diabetic rats. Results of the present study, suggest the potential of adenosinergic agents in the therapy of diabetic neuropathy.

Preconditioning: evolution of basic mechanisms to potential therapeutic strategies.

Preconditioning describes the phenomenon by which a traumatic or stressful stimulus confers protection against subsequent injury. Originally recognized in dog heart subjected to ischemic challenges, preconditioning has been demonstrated in multiple species, can be induced by various stimuli, and is applicable in different organ systems. Tremendous progress has been made elucidating the signal transduction cascade of preconditioning. Preconditioning represents a potent tissue-protective condition, and mechanistic understanding may allow safe clinical application. This review recalls the history of preconditioning and how it relates to the history of the investigation of endogenous adaptation; summarizes the current mechanistic understanding of acute preconditioning; outlines the signal transduction cascade leading to the development of delayed preconditioning; discusses preconditioning in noncardiac tissue; and explores the potential of using preconditioning clinically.

Adenosine protects cultured retinal neurons against NMDA-induced cell death through A1 receptors

Purpose. To determine whether adenosine can protect cultured retinal neurons, consisting mainly of amacrine cells, from N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced neurotoxicity, and to determine whether agonists and antagonists of adenosine receptors also have a protective effect.Methods. Cultured retinal neurons obtained from fetal Wistar rats (gestational age 18–19 days) were maintained for 10–11 days. Neurons were exposed to NMDA (1.0 mM) for 10 min with or without adenosine or to NMDA with adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists. Neuronal death was assessed by the trypan-blue exclusion method 24 hr after the exposure.Results. Adenosine at doses of 0.01 μM and higher significantly protected (p < 0.05, Dunnett) primary cultured fetal rat retinal neurons from apoptotic and/or necrotic death induced by NMDA (1.0 mM). The protective effect of adenosine (10 μM) against NMDA-induced neuronal death was lost by simultaneous exposure to selective A1 receptor antagonist but not to A2a receptor antagonist. Selective A1 receptor agonists had similar effects as adenosine, but A2a receptor agonists and 8-Br-cyclic AMP had no effect on cell viability.Conclusions. Adenosine can protect cultured retinal neurons against NMDA-induced cell death via the A1 receptor.

Protective effect of adenosine in rat model of Parkinson's disease: neurobehavioral and neurochemical evidences

Normal cellular metabolism produces oxidants which are neutralized within the cell by antioxidant enzymes and other antioxidants. An imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant has been postulated to lead the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. In this study, we examined whether adenosine, an antioxidant, can prevent or slowdown neuronal injury in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinsonism. Rats were treated with adenosine (500, 250, 125 mg/kg b.wt.) once before surgery and five times after surgery (1 h interval). 2 μl 6-OHDA (12.5 μg in 0.2% ascorbic acid in normal saline) was infused in the right striatum. Two weeks after 6-OHDA infused rats were tested for neurobehavioral activity and sacrificed after 3 weeks of 6-OHDA infusion, for the estimation of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione- S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione content, lipid peroxidation and dopamine and its metabolites. Adenosine was found to be successful in up-regulating the antioxidant status, lowering the dopamine loss and functional recovery returned close to the baseline dose. This study revealed that adenosine, which is an essential part of our body, might be helpful in slowing down the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinsonism.

Acute adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in the pig: an update.

The objective of the present project was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of acute (10-minute) adenosine treatment for augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps in pigs. Varying doses of adenosine were infused into 28 latissimus dorsi muscle flaps through the axillary artery (0, 0.5, or 2.0 mg per flap) and 22 gracilis muscle flaps through the medial circumflex femoral artery (0, 10, or 20 mg per flap) over 10 minutes. Ten minutes after adenosine infusion, these muscle flaps were subjected to 4 hours of sustained warm global ischemia. In addition, one group of latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (n = 6) received a 10-minute intraarterial adenosine infusion (0.5 mg) at the beginning of reperfusion. Muscle biopsies (n = 4 or 5) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis were obtained before and after adenosine infusion and at the end of 4 hours of ischemia. The extent of muscle infarction was assessed at 48 hours of reperfusion by the tetrazolium dye staining technique. Muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps was measured at the end of adenosine infusion (0 or 0.5 mg per flap, n = 8) by the radioactive microsphere (15-microns) technique. It was observed that adenosine, at all doses tested, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the extent of muscle infarction in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps (control, 40.3 +/- 2.2 percent; 0.5 mg, 20.6 +/- 1.6 percent; 2.0 mg, 18.2 +/- 1 percent) and gracilis muscle flaps (control, 31.0 +/- 1.5 percent; 10 mg, 14.3 +/- 3 percent; 20 mg, 11.6 +/- 1.2 percent). Preischemic adenosine treatment (0.5 mg per flap) was associated with maintenance of a significantly (p < 0.05) higher muscle content of ATP in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps at the end of 4 hours of ischemia compared with saline-treated ischemic controls. Postischemic adenosine treatment did not protect latissimus dorsi muscle flaps against infarction. Furthermore, adenosine treatment did not have any significant effect on mean systemic arterial blood pressure or muscle blood flow in latissimus dorsi muscle flaps. It is concluded that acute (10-minute) preischemic adenosine treatment is effective in augmentation of ischemic tolerance in muscle flaps and that this protective effect of adenosine may be, at least in part, the result of slowing muscle ATP depletion during sustained ischemia. The possible mechanisms of this adenosine-induced energysparing effect are discussed.

Receptor and non-receptor-dependent mechanisms of cardioprotection with adenosine.

The relative roles of mitochondrial (mito) ATP-sensitive K(+) (mitoK(ATP)) channels, protein kinase C (PKC), and adenosine kinase (AK) in adenosine-mediated protection were assessed in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts subjected to 20-min ischemia and 45-min reperfusion. Control hearts recovered 72 +/- 3 mmHg of ventricular pressure (50% preischemia) and released 23 +/- 2 IU/g lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Adenosine (50 microM) during ischemia-reperfusion improved recovery (149 +/- 8 mmHg) and reduced LDH efflux (5 +/- 1 IU/g). Treatment during ischemia alone was less effective. Treatment with 50 microM diazoxide (mitoK(ATP) opener) during ischemia and reperfusion enhanced recovery and was equally effective during ischemia alone. A(3) agonism [100 nM 2-chloro-N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide], A(1) agonism (N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine), and AK inhibition (10 microM iodotubercidin) all reduced necrosis to the same extent as adenosine, but less effectively reduced contractile dysfunction. These responses were abolished by 100 microM 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, mitoK(ATP) channel blocker) or 3 microM chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor). However, the protective effects of adenosine during ischemia-reperfusion were resistant to 5-HD and chelerythrine and only abolished when inhibitors were coinfused with iodotubercidin. Data indicate adenosine-mediated protection via A(1)/A(3) adenosine receptors is mitoK(ATP) channel and PKC dependent, with evidence for a downstream location of PKC. Adenosine provides additional and substantial protection via phosphorylation to 5'-AMP, primarily during reperfusion.

Intracerebral adenosine infusion improves neurological outcome after transient focal ischemia in rats

In order to elucidate the role of adenosine in brain ischemia, the possible protective effects of adenosine on ischemic brain injury were investigated in a rat model of brain ischemia both in vitro and in vivo. Exogenous adenosine dose-dependently rescued cortical neuronal cells from injury after glucose deprivation in vitro. Adenosine (1 mM) also significantly reduced hypoglycemia/hypoxia-induced glutamate release from the hippocampal slice. In a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), extracellular adenosine concentration was increased immediately after occlusion, and then returned to the baseline by 30 min after reperfusion. Adenosine infusion through a microdialysis probe into the ipsilateral striatum (1 mM adenosine, 2 µl min-1, total 4.5 h from the occlusion to 3 h after reperfusion) showed a significant improvement in the neurological outcome, and about 25% reduction of infarct volume, although the effect did not reach statistical significance, compared with the vehicle-treated group at 20 h after 90 min of MCAO. These results demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of adenosine against ischemic brain injury both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the possible therapeutic application of adenosine regulating agents, which inhibit adenosine uptake or metabolism to enhance or maintain extracellular endogenous adenosine levels, for stroke treatment. [Neurol Res 2002; 24: 317-323]