Comparison of the inhibitory effects on the guinea-pig taenia coli of adenine nucleotides and adenosine in the presence and absence of dipyridamole.

Dipyridamole potentiated the inhibitory responses to ATP and ADP and in particular responses to AMP and adenosine. The results are discussed in relation to the known actions of dipyridamole and suggest that adenine nucleotides are metabolized to adenosine during contact with the preparation; and that previous observations of the relative potencies of adenine nucleotides and nucleosides do not represent the actual receptor agonist potencies because of rapid uptake of adenosine into the tissues.