Fig. 1.

Purinoceptors in regulation of blood pressure. Activation or inhibition of purinoceptors can improve hypertension in 9 different ways, including sympathetic nerve activities, endothelial cells, neurons in the brain stem, carotid body, inflammation, renin-angiotensin system, sodium excretion, ENaC activity, and renal autoregulation. P2Y1R is involved in neurogenic hypertension. P2X3R located on the carotid body is the novel therapeutic target for hypertension. A₁R activation induces renin release. A₁R, A_2BR_, A₃R, P2X4R, P2Y1R, and P2Y2R mediate sodium excretion. P2X1R and P2X6R on the smooth muscle cells, and A_2AR, P2X4R, and P2Y2R on endothelial cells act on vessels to regulate vascular tone