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

The cardioprotective effects of adenosine in numerous experimental models h ave been well described and there is evidence that adenosine is beneficial in the clinical setting. However, the exact mechanism by which adenosine ex erts its beneficial effects in reversibly and irreversibly injured myocardi um has not been determined. In addition, with the exception of the A(1) rec eptor, there is not universal agreement on the involvement of adenosine rec eptor 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.