AUTONOMIC NEURAL CONTROL OF CARDIAC-FUNCTION - MODULATION BY ADENOSINE AND ADENOSINE 5'-TRIPHOSPHATE

Adenosine and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) are found in every cell of the human body. These molecules are released from cells into the ex tracellular fluid under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. O utside of cells, adenosine and ATP act as physiologic regulators of ce lls, tissues, and organs. In the heart, extracellular adenosine and AT P exert pronounced inotropic, lusitropic, electrophysiologic, and meta bolic effects, which are mediated by specific cell surface receptors. In addition, both compounds can modulate sympathetic and parasympathet ic input to the heart by interacting with neural elements within and w ithout the heart, thereby modulating autonomic neural control of cardi ac functions. This article briefly reviews these indirect, neurally-me diated actions of adenosine and ATP. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.