ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of adenosine and adenosine receptor agonist on the expression of inter?leukin-18 (IL-18) in patients with unstable angina (UAP), and the mechanism of adenosine receptor agonists thereof. Meth?ods Fifteen UAP and 15 healthy volunteers were included in this study. The effects of adenosine and the selective adenos?ine receptor agonists on the expression of IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The lower concentration of adenosine (1-100μmol/L) increased the expression of IL-18 in UAP group;whereas the higher concentration of adenosine (1 mmol/L) inhibited the expression of IL-18. The adenosine A1 receptor agonist and A3 receptor agonist increased the expression of IL-18, while the adenosine A2a receptor agonist inhibited the expression of IL-18. There was no significant effect for A2b receptor agonist on the expression of IL-18. Conclusion The lower concentrations of ade?nosine can enhance the expression of IL-18 through adenosine A1 and A3 receptors in UAP. The higher concentrations of ade?nosine can inhibit the expression of IL-18 through adenosine A2a receptors. Adenosine can promote IL-18 expression in lower concentrations.