Antinociceptive effects of intrathecally injected cholinomimetic drugs in the rat and cat

doi:10.1016/0014-2999(85)90474-1

European Journal of Pharmacology

Volume 117, Issue 1, 29 October 1985, Pages 81-88

https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-2999(85)90474-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Rats chronically implanted with intrathecal catheters displayed a dose-dependent increase in the hot-plate, tail-flick response latencies, and decreased the magnitude of the writhing response following the injection of certain cholinomimetics into the subarachnoid space through the indwelling catheter. The structure-activity relationship for these agents is $oxotremorine > carbachol > acetylcholine + physostigmine ⋙ acetylcholine = nicotine-HCL = 0.$ Atropine but not naloxone, strychnine, picrotoxin, curare or methysegride and phentolamine, reversed the antinociceptive effect. This suggests the involvement of muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms. Experiments with intrathecal injection of carbachol into the spinal subarachnoid space of cats fitted with intrathecal catheters also revealed a potent antinociceptive effect which was completely antagonized by atropine. The effect was somatotopically limited with the skin surfaces innervated by cord segments nearest the catherer tip showing the most significant effect with the shortest latency of onset. This observation, together with the absence of changes in general reflex motor function or postural control further indicated a selective spinal effectiveness of muscarinic agonists after low dose intrathecal administration.

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Antinociceptive effects of intrathecally injected cholinomimetic drugs in the rat and cat

Abstract

Brain Res.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Int. J. Neuropharmacol.

Neurosci. Lett.

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Pain

Physiol. Behav.

Neuropharmacology

The anti-tremorine effect of some drugs as determined by Hoffner's method of testing analgesia in mice

J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.

The analgetic action of morphine, eserine and prostigmine studied by a modified Handy-Wolff-Goodell method

Acta Physiol. Scand.

Acetylcholine metabolism in intracranial and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid and in blood

Narcotic antagonist analgesics, interactions with cholinergic systems

J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.