Evidence for an anti-aggregatory effect of adenosine at physiological concentrations and for its role in the action of dipyridamole.

The effects of physiological adenosine concentrations on platelet aggregation in vitro were studied. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of elevated adenosine levels in vivo, produced by the administration of dipyridamole, on platelet aggregation in whole blood. Platelet aggregation in plasma was significantly inhibited in vitro by adenosine at all concentrations tested in the physiological range (0.1-1.0 microM, 14-63% inhibition). Dipyridamole by itself had no effect at a therapeutic plasma concentration in vitro. Ten patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease were given 100 mg dipyridamole orally, and the level of adenosine increased from 0.22 to 0.29 microM (p less than 0.05). This was accompanied by a decrease in ADP-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood (17 to 15 ohms, p less than 0.05). When dipyridamole was infused in 11 healthy subjects, the adenosine level was not significantly elevated but the platelet aggregation was inhibited (from 13 to 11 ohms, p less than 0.05). It is concluded that adenosine may be of importance in the physiological regulation of platelet aggregation. Furthermore, dipyridamole treatment is associated with an anti-aggregatory effect that is probably mediated by its effect on endogenous adenosine levels.