What are the effects of Cyclic AMP?
Increased cellular cyclic AMP results in a range of physiological and biochemical effects. They include inhibition of platelet activation (resulting in decreased likelihood of blood clots), reduced release of histamine (resulting in decreased allergy symptoms), increased force of contraction of the heart, relaxation of the arteries and other smooth muscles, increased thyroid function, and increased lipolysis (fat burning). A number of diseases are characterized, in part, by decreased intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. These include: asthma, eczema, psoriasis, angina, obesity and hypertension. In addition to its adenylyl cyclase-stimulating actions, forskolin also appears to have actions that are not due to this mechanism, but are due to its ability to alter a number of membrane transport proteins.
