Adenosine A1 and A3 Receptor Mediated Cardioprotection in Ischaemic Myocardium

在澳大利亚，冠状动脉疾病对心脏的损害导致显著的发病率和死亡率。事实上，缺血性损伤是过早死亡的最大原因。此外，由于我国人口年龄的增加，问题也日益严重-65岁以上的人中有50%患有冠状动脉疾病，这导致心绞痛、心肌梗塞、心律失常、充血性心力衰竭和猝死的发病率增加。已经开发并将继续开发保护策略，以减少组织损伤的程度并最大限度地减少心脏功能的长期下降。这些干预措施的成功有好有坏。该研究项目采用了新的方法来确定心脏中存在的两种受体（腺苷A1和A3受体）的真正作用，这可能在增强心脏对疾病和损伤的耐受性方面发挥关键作用。我们目前还不完全了解这些受体的作用，尽管初步研究结果表明它们可以在疾病期间发挥强大的保护作用。从基本的角度来看，确定这两种受体的作用将大大促进我们对心脏损伤和保护机制的理解。从治疗的角度来看，这项研究将使我们更接近腺苷受体为基础的治疗在保护心脏免受缺血性损伤的潜在用途。

Damage to the heart from coronary vascular disease causes significant morbidity and mortality in Australia. Indeed, ischaemic injury represents the single greatest cause of premature death. Moreover, due to the increasing age of our population the problem is growing - coronary artery disease affects 50% of those older than 65, contributing to an increased incidence of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, and sudden death. Protective strategies have been, and continue to be, developed to reduce the extent of tissue damage and minimise prolonged reductions in heart function. The success of these interventions has been mixed. This research project takes the novel approach of identifying the true roles of two receptors present in the heart (the adenosine A1 and A3 receptors) which may play a crucial role in enhancing tolerance of the heart to disease and injury. We currently do not fully understand the roles of these receptors, although preliminary findings suggest they can exert powerful protective effects during disease conditions. From a fundamental viewpoint, identifying the roles of these two receptors will significantly advance our understanding of the mechanisms of injury and protection in the heart. From a therapeutic viewpoint, this study will take us closer to the potential use of adenosine receptor-based therapy in protecting the heart from ischaemic injury.