New insights into adenosine receptor modulation of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

The cardioprotective effects of adenosine in numerous experimental models have been well described and there is evidence that adenosine is beneficial in the clinical setting. However, the exact mechanism by which adenosine exerts its beneficial effects in reversibly and irreversibly injured myocardium has not been determined. In addition, with the exception of the A(1) receptor, there is not universal agreement on the involvement of adenosine receptor subtypes, This review summarizes recent findings in our laboratory on the role of the A(3) and A(2a) receptors in adenosine cardioprotection and compartmentation of cardiomyocyte adenosine receptor signaling. Drug Dev. Res. 52:357-365, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.