[Cardiovascular treatment potentials. P2 receptors important for future drugs]

Several receptors activated by extracellular nucleotides (ATP, ADP, UTP and UDP) have recently been cloned. These P2 receptors mediate a multitude of cardiovascular effects such as positive inotropic effects in the heart, platelet aggregation, release of endothelial factors, growth stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells, vasomotor effects and blood pressure regulation. The physiological and pathophysiological importance of P2 receptors is established, and the first P2 receptor antagonists (ticlopidine and clopidrogel) are already in clinical use as inhibitors of platelet aggregation in the prevention of ischaemic heart disease and stroke. The development of selective antagonists for other P2 receptor subtypes will lead to better understanding of cardiovascular disease processes and yield new therapeutic options.