RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evolving concepts on the value of adenosine hyperresponsiveness in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease JF Thorax JO Thorax FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society SP 649 OP 654 DO 10.1136/thorax.57.7.649 VO 57 IS 7 A1 R Polosa A1 S Rorke A1 S T Holgate YR 2002 UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/57/7/649.abstract 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.