Changes in 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase distribution across the rat left ventricle wall during growth and...

The concentrations of the adenosine-generating enzyme 5'-nucleotidase (5'-N) and of the adenosine-degrading enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the rat left ventricle change as a function of the age of the animal. The enzyme distribution across the left ventricle wall is non-uniform in adult or old rats (in the case of 5'-N) or in all age-groups (in the case of ADA). In the oldest rats, 5'-N activity exhibited a significant increase in the mid-myocardium and in the inner myocardial layers as compared with the young adult controls.