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Clinical Disorders: Therapeutic Classes: Mechanism Classes:
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Adenosine
General Pharmacology
Adenosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside that forms from the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary energy source in cells for transport systems and many enzymes. Most ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP, which can be further dephosphorylated to AMP. Most ADP and AMP that form in the cell is rephosphorylated in the mitochondria by enzymatic reactions requiring oxygen. If there are large amounts of ATP hydrolyzed, and especially if there is insufficient oxygen available (i.e., hypoxia), then some of the AMP can be further dephosphorylated to adenosine by the cell membrane associated enzyme, 5'-nucleotidase.
Adenosine can bind to purinergic receptors in different cell types where it can
produce a number of different physiological actions. One important action is vascular smooth muscle relaxation, which leads to vasodilation. This
is a particularly important mechanism for matching
coronary blood flow
to the metabolic needs of the heart. In coronary vascular smooth muscle, adenosine binds
to adenosine type 2A (A2A) receptors, which are coupled to the
Gs-protein.
Activation of this G-protein stimulates adenylyl cyclase (AC in figure), increases cAMP and
causes protein kinase activation. This stimulates KATP channels,
which hyperpolarizes the smooth muscle, causing relaxation. Increased cAMP also
causes smooth muscle relaxation by inhibiting
myosin light chain
kinase, which leads to decreased myosin phosphorylation and a decrease in
contractile force. There is also evidence that adenosine inhibits calcium entry
into the cell through L-type calcium channels. Since
calcium regulates
smooth muscle contraction, reduced intracellular calcium causes relaxation.
In some types of blood vessels, there is evidence that adenosine produces
vasodilation through increases in cGMP,
which leads to inhibition of calcium entry into the cells as well as opening of
potassium channels.
In cardiac tissue, adenosine binds to type 1 (A1) receptors, which are coupled to Gi-proteins. Activation of this pathway opens potassium channels, which hyperpolarizes the cell. Activation of the Gi-protein also decreases cAMP, which inhibits L-type calcium channels and therefore calcium entry into the cell. In cardiac pacemaker cells located in the sinoatrial node, adenosine acting through A1 receptors inhibits the pacemaker current (If), which decreases the slope of phase 4 of the pacemaker action potential thereby decreasing its spontaneous firing rate (negative chronotropy). Inhibition of L-type calcium channels also decreases conduction velocity (negative dromotropic effect) particularly at the atrioventricular (AV) nodes. Finally, adenosine by acting on presynaptic purinergic receptors located on sympathetic nerve terminals inhibits the release of norepinephrine. In terms of its electrical effects in the heart, adenosine decreases heart rate and reduces conduction velocity, especially at the AV node, which can produce atrioventricular block.
Adenosine has a very short half-life. In human blood, its half-life is less than 10 seconds. There are two important metabolic fates for adenosine.
- Most importantly, adenosine is rapidly transported into red blood cells (and other cell types) where it is rapidly deaminated by adenosine deaminase to inosine, which is further broken down to hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid, which is excreted by the kidneys. Adenosine deamination also occurs in the plasma, but at a lower rate than that which occurs within cells. Dipyridamole is a vasodilator drug that blocks adenosine uptake by cells, thereby reducing the metabolism of adenosine. Therefore, one important mechanism for dipyridamole-induced vasodilation is its potentiation of extracellular adenosine.
- Adenosine can be acted on by adenosine kinase and rephosphorylated to AMP. This salvage pathway helps maintain the adenine nucleotide pool in cells.
Therapeutic Use and Rationale
Although adenosine is a powerful vasodilator, especially in the coronary circulation, it is not used clinically as a vasodilator. The reason is that it is very short acting and in the heart it can produce coronary vascular steal. When administered by intravenous infusion, it can produce substantial hypotension.
Adenosine is used, however, as an antiarrhythmic drug for the rapid treatment of supraventricular tachycardias. Its effects on atrioventricular conduction make it very useful in treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in which the AV node is part of the reentry pathway (as in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome). Adenosine is administered either as bolus intravenous injection or as an intravenous infusion.
Adenosine is not effective for atrial flutter or fibrillation.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Most of adenosine's side effects are related to its vasodilatory properties. Patients can experience flushing and headache, both of which are related to vasodilation. Adenosine can produce rapid arterial hypotension; however, this is reversed shortly after ceasing the infusion of adenosine. Coronary vascular steal is of theoretical concern in some patients with coronary artery disease, although there is no clinical evidence supporting this adverse effect. Methylxanthines such as caffeine and theophylline competitively antagonize the binding of adenosine at its purinergic receptor. Finally, adenosine may produce undesirable AV block; however, this is usually rapidly corrected by stopping adenosine administration. Therefore, adenosine is contraindicated in patients with second or third degree AV block.
Revised 03/15/07