Regulation of the development of allodynia by intrathecally administered P2 purinoceptor agonists and antagonists in mice

Effects of agonists and antagonists of P2X-purinoceptors on the regulation of the development of allodynia were examined in mice; the drugs were administered intrathecally to the spinal cord. Suramin (5, 10 mu g) and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), antagonists of P2X receptors, inhibited prostaglandin (PG) E-2-induced allodynia. PPADS did not block glutamate-induced allodynia. alpha,beta-Methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP), an agonist of P2X receptor, elicited allodynia. alpha,beta-meATP-induced allodynia was blocked by co-administration of alpha,beta-meATP with PPADS, MK 801 or N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl eater (L-NAME). Suramin at higher doses (20, 40 mu g) induced allodynia, which was inhibited by MK 801 or L-NAME. These results suggest that ATP P2X receptors in the spinal cord are involved in the regulation of tactile allodynia. Glutamate receptor and nitric oxide systems play an important role in the development of allodynia produced by alpha,beta-meATP and suramin. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.