Abstract: The present invention provides the use of ATP for the manufacture of a medicine comprising ATP as an active ingredient for exerting a preventive or therapeutic pharmacological effect when administered to a mammal, preferably a human, selected from the group consisting of: a. modulating oxidative stress and the effects thereof by favourably affecting the formation or scavenging of aggressive hydroxyl radicals; b. modulating the inflammatory response to a strong external insult such as endotoxin (LPS) and/or phytohaemagglutinin, even under conditions of severe oxidative stress; c. inhibiting the inflammatory response to a strong external insult such as endotoxin (LPS) and/or phytohaemagglutinin under conditions of severe oxidative stress; d. exerting a local protective effect against oxidative stress in the intestine, thus preventing intestinal damage induced by several types of medication such as non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); e.