Dipyridamole, a compound that increases extracellular adenosine levels, as a preventive treatment for rheumatoid cachexia

Protein expression of myogenesis, purinergic system and senescence key markers were studied. Nucleotide content of GA was analyzed via HPLC. 2D and 3D culture models with C2C12 cells were performed to confirm the results obtained in mice model. RA mice developed weight loss, muscle size and activity decline and increment of senescence and atrophy.

All this is dependent on the low adenosine levels and decreased expression of adenosine A2A/A2BR in RA muscle. Dipyridamole was able to prevent inflammation and muscle pathologies in RA mice due to adenosine and A2A/A2BR maintenance also cAMP/AMPK activation. This finding suggests dipyridamole is an interesting preventive drug to RA patients for counteracts RC development.