Open AccessIB‐MECA and Cardioprotection
Author(s) -
Xu Zhelong,
Jang Yeongho,
Mueller Robert A.,
Norfleet Edward A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
cardiovascular drug reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-3466
pISSN - 0897-5957
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-3466.2006.00227.x
Subject(s) - cardioprotection , medicine , agonist , adenosine , ischemic preconditioning , adenosine a3 receptor , ischemia , adenosine receptor , pharmacology , myocardial infarction , reperfusion injury , receptor , cardiology
The adenosine A 3 receptor plays an important role in ischemic preconditioning. Activation of the adenosine A 3 receptor with its agonists induces both early and late pharmacological preconditioning through various mechanisms. As the first potent and selective adenosine A 3 receptor agonist, IB‐MECA (N 6 ‐(3‐iodobenzyl)‐adenosine‐5′‐N‐methylcarboxamide) has been demonstrated to induce cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury when given before onset of ischemia by triggering pharmacological preconditioning. More importantly, IB‐MECA can also protect the heart even when administered at the onset of reperfusion after ischemia, indicating a strong likelihood that the drug may be useful for the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, since IB‐MECA has been reported to have lethal effects at higher concentrations, and may cause systemic hypertension in some species, further studies are needed to find the best treatment strategy to increase its therapeutic potential.