Catabolism of Adenine Nucleotides by the Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

ATP and 5′-AMP were extensively degraded to adenosine and inosine during a single passage through rat hearts perfused in an open-flow system. It is suggested that enzymes which convert adenine nucleotides to adenosine exist within, or on, coronary vascular cells. Whether these enzymes contribute to the formation of adenosine during cardiac hypoxia is unknown.