Thymoquinone,the main constituent of nigella sativa,could impact on adenosine a2 receptors in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs [Nigella sativa’nın biyoaktif komponenti olan timokinon ovalbuminle uyarılmış ginedomuzlarında adenozin A2 reseptörlerini etkileyebilir]

Thymoquinone has demonstrated anti-asthmatic effects in many studies but its exact mechanism is not yet fully known. this investigation aims to demonstrate its prophylactic effect in the presence of selective a2a and a2b adenosine receptors (ar) antagonist; mrs1706 and zm241365,in sensitized guinea pigs. the gene expression of a2 ar in blood lymphocytes and lung tissue,lung pathological changes and blood cytokines were evaluated in seven groups. the experiments in blood lymphocytes and lung tissue showed that thymoquinone could increase a2aar mrna expression and decrease a2b ar mrna expression significantly (p<0.001 to p<0.05); however sensitization had opposite effects. administration of a2a receptor antagonist attenuated inflammation and a2b receptor antagonist could prevent asthma-induced inflammatory changes. moreover,the administration of thymoquinone and a2areceptor antagonist together relieved inflammation. gene expression of a2b receptor showed that thymoquinone administration has more influence on blood lymphocytes while administration of the selective a2b receptor antagonist was more effective in lung tissue. the results showed some of the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone in reducing asthma symptoms might be partially mediated through a2 adenosine receptors. © 2016,veteriner fakultesi dergisi. all rights reserved.