PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - R Polosa
AU  - S Rorke
AU  - S T Holgate
TI  - Evolving concepts on the value of adenosine hyperresponsiveness in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
AID  - 10.1136/thorax.57.7.649
DP  - 2002 Jul 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 649--654
VI  - 57
IP  - 7
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/7/649.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/7/649.full
SO  - Thorax2002 Jul 01; 57
AB  - Adenosine is a purine nucleoside which mediates a variety of cellular responses relevant to asthma and COPD through interaction with specific receptors. Administration of adenosine by inhalation to patients with asthma and COPD is known to cause concentration related bronchoconstriction. Responses elicited by this purine derivative in asthma and COPD should not be considered as a mere reflection of non-specific airways hyperresponsiveness. Evaluation of airways responsiveness by adenosine induced bronchoconstriction may be valuable in differentiating asthma from COPD, monitoring of anti-inflammatory treatment in asthma, surveying disease progression, and assessing disease activity in relation to allergic airways inflammation.