Adenosine signaling as target in cardiovascular pharmacology

Increasing evidence demonstrated the relevance of adenosine system in the onset and development of cardiovascular dis-eases, such as hypertension, myocardial infarct, ischemia, hypertension, heart failure, and atherosclerosis. In this regard, intense research efforts are being focused on the character-ization of the pathophysiological significance of adenosine, acting at its membrane receptors named A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors, in cardiovascular diseases. The present review article provides an integrated and comprehensive overview about current clinical and pre-clinical evidence about the role of adenosine in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Particular attention has been focused on current scientific ev-idence about the pharmacological ligands acting on adenosine pathway as useful tools to manage cardiovascular diseases.