Role of adenosine receptors in late preconditioning against myocardial stunning in conscious rabbits

A study was conducted to determine the functions of adenosine A1 receptors in late preconditioning (PC) against myocardial stunning in a conscious rabbit model. The rabbits were subjected to coronary artery occlusion with interspersed reperfusion. Systolic wall thickening of artery indicated late preconditioning to stunning. Results also showed that adenosine A1 receptors contribute to early and late PC against infarction and stunning. The conscious rabbit model proved to be useful in stunning studies due to its inexpensiveness.