Lack of a role of adenosine in activation of ischemically sensitive cardiac sympathetic afferents

Internal and external adenosine do not affect the activation of ischemically sensitive cardiac sympathetic afferent (ISA) nerve endings, which are involved in the pain of angina pectoris. Single-unit activity of ISA from the left thoracic sympathetic chain was observed during 5 minutes of myocardial ischemia in cats which received adenosine and an adenosine A1 receptor agonist. Activity of ISA did not increase with adenosine. Dipyridamole and aminophylline also produced no change.