Uses and Importance

See this page for a diagram of some Adenosine uses, made by Medco Research

So, what is this chemical that has an entire web page dedicated to it? The chemical Adenosine has been discovered to have many uses. The chemical is found in just about every cell, and is used by scientists throughout the body as well. Adenosine's main use is in cardiovascular problems among people. It successful in arrhythmic patients by raising the levels of AMP, ADP, or ATP. This, in turn, can decrease cellular oxygen demand, stops convulsion problems, and overall, slow down the heartbeat.

Adenosine is also a powerful sedative, in a sense. Caffeine, the well-known wake up drug, is directly related to this chemical. In essence, there are certain adenosine-receptors in each cell, which apparently relate to sleep. When these receptors have a lot of adenosine, the body is especially sleepy, and when the receptors are empty, the body is awake. Caffeine is the antagonist to adenosine. Caffeine works by binding to these adenosine receptors, and keeping adenosine from being produced. That's what keeps you awake. It is believed that by taking in extra adenosine, one will become more tired. There is one problem, however. Sleep-inducement only works with certain adenosine receptors, and so far, adenosine can't be restricted to certain receptors, but go to any and every one. This means that not only will the sleeping effects be caused by the adenosine ingestion, but also the other effects, such as a slowed heart rate. This could prove to be very dangerous, so until it is discovered how one can target merely the receptors that target sleep, it isn't used especially for sleep yet.

Adenosine acting via the adenosine A₁ receptor inhibits excitatory amino acids pre synaptically as well. In English, this means that after a stroke, the neurological effects such as shutting-down of some parts of the brain don't happen.

Adenosine also prevents some seizures. The level of Adenosine raises in the receptors while a convulsion in the body occurs. This seems to imply that adenosine is a body-produced anticonvulsant.

There are many other uses for adenosine as well, some of which are just beginning to be discovered. Some uses that are being researched right now are it's working against self-mutilation behaviors and protecting against radiation exposure.