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A holistic view of adenosine in the control of intestinal neuromuscular functions: the enteric ‘purinome’ concept
Author(s) -
Antonioli Luca,
Fornai Matteo,
Colucci Rocchina,
Tuccori Marco,
Blandizzi Corrado
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01529.x
Subject(s) - adenosine , enteric nervous system , peristalsis , motility , adenosine receptor , neuroscience , contractility , biology , reflex , receptor , adenosine a1 receptor , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , agonist
Adenosine is involved in the modulation of enteric neuromuscular functions, operating a fine tuning of smooth muscle contractility, peristaltic reflex and transit. In this issue of the BJP, Zizzo et al. report novel findings on the expression of adenosine receptors in mouse duodenum, extending our knowledge of their involvement in the control of spontaneous and neurogenic intestinal motility. In this study, particular attention was paid to the differential activation of adenosine receptors, as a result of their interplay with regulatory systems, modulating the availability of endogenous adenosine in a compartmentalised manner. This evidence will contribute to the holistic evaluation of the role played by adenosine in the regulation of intestinal motility, in accordance with the novel concept of the enteric 'purinome'. This commentary discusses the role of the 'purinome' in the modulation of enteric neuromuscular activity, pointing out its involvement in the intestinal neuroplasticity associated with bowel dysmotility.