Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate Metabolism in Red Blood Cells as a Potential Biomarker for Post-Exercise Hypotension and a Drug Target for Cardiovascular Protection.

The importance of adenosine and ATP in regulating many biological functions has long been recognized, especially for their effects on the cardiovascular system, which may be used for management of hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases. In response to ischemia and cardiovascular injury, ATP is broken down to release adenosine. The effect of adenosine is very short lived because it is rapidly taken up by erythrocytes (RBCs), myocardial and endothelial cells, and also rapidly catabolized to oxypurine metabolites.

Effect of Cardiovascular Injury on Catabolism of Adenosine and Adenosine 5-'Triphosphate in Systemic Blood in a Freely Moving Rat Model In Vivo.

Background: Previous studies have shown that catabolism of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in red blood cell (RBC) may be a key factor for cardiovascular protection and maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of cardiovascular injury on adenosine and ATP catabolism in systemic blood using a freely moving rat model in vivo.

Method: After acclimatized to the experimental environment, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were each given either isoproterenol (30 mg/kg) or saline (1 mL/kg) by subcutaneous (sc) injection.