Adenosine - a mediator with multisystemic effects (or a hormone?)

Abstract

Adenosine is a nucleoside regulating many physiological and pathological processes in human organism. It is produced by almost all cells and is metabolised by adenosinedeaminase enzyme. effect of adenosine is mediated by three types of adenosine receptors. Adenosinergic system signifcantly influences function of cardiovascular system, furthemore it plays a key role in sleep homeostasis, in regulation of bone metabolism and activation of immune system. Adenosine mediates effect of various hormones, but also adenosine itself has its own autocrine, paracrine and systemic effects. Changes in endogenous adenosine levels, or changes of adenosine receptor sensitivity, may play a role in ethiopathogenesis of many diseases. Thus adenosinergic system can become a target for new therapeutical possibilities in many felds of medicine.