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Adenosine Receptor Antagonism

Meaning

This pharmacological concept refers to the action of a substance that binds to and blocks the activity of adenosine receptors within the body’s physiological systems. Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, functions as an inhibitory neuromodulator and paracrine signaling molecule, regulating various processes like heart rate, blood flow, and cellular energy metabolism. Antagonism specifically prevents the endogenous adenosine from exerting its typical inhibitory effects on the targeted receptor subtypes, such as A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. In the context of wellness, this action is often leveraged to modulate alertness, fatigue perception, and inflammation pathways. The clinical impact of this antagonism is highly dependent on the specific receptor subtype being targeted and the tissue where it occurs.