Centhaquin antinociception in mice is mediated by α2A- and α2B- but not α2C-adrenoceptors.

The use of clonidine as a primary and adjuvant analgesic is well-documented. It is known that imidazoline and α2-adrenoceptors are involved in clonidine antinociception. Clonidine also produces antihypertensive actions mediated through the central nervous system. We have reported that centhaquin, a centrally-acting anti-hypertensive drug produces its hypotensive effect through a mechanism of action similar to clonidine. Centhaquin has also been shown to possess significant antinociceptive activity. Centhaquin antinociception is partially blocked by yohimbine, idazoxan, and naloxone; however, the involvement of specific adrenoceptor subtypes (α2A, α2B, or α2C) in centhaquin antinociception is unknown. The present study was conducted to determine antinociceptive properties of centhaquin citrate, a water soluble salt of centhaquin, and involvement of α2A-, α2B-, or α2C-adrenoceptors in centhaquin citrate antinociception in mice. BRL-44408 (α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist), imiloxan (α2B-adrenoceptor antagonist) and JP-1302 (α2C-adrenoceptor antagonist) were used to determine the involvement of α2A-, α2B-, or α2C-adrenoceptors, respectively. Antinociceptive (tail-flick and hot-plate) latencies were determined in male Swiss-Webster mice treated with centhaquin citrate alone and in combination with BRL-44408, imiloxan, or JP-1302. Centhaquin citrate produced significant antinociception in mice (P<0.05) which was unaffected by JP-1302 (P>0.05) but blocked by BRL-44408 (tail-flick test: 49.75% decrease, P<0.05; hot-plate test: 49.12% decrease, P<0.05) and imiloxan (tail-flick test: 46.98% decrease, P<0.05; hot-plate test: 46.42% decrease, P<0.05). This is the first report demonstrating centhaquin citrate antinociception and its blockade by BRL-44408 and imiloxan. We conclude that α2A and α2B but not α2C adrenoceptors are involved in centhaquin antinociception in mice.

Bhalla S ，Ali I ，Andurkar SV ，Gulati A ... -  《-》

Centhaquin attenuates hyperalgesia and non-evoked guarding in a rat model of postoperative pain primarily through α2B-adrenoceptors.

Centhaquin has been shown to produce antinociception in the mouse hot plate and tail flick assays through the opioid, the α2A and α2B adrenoceptors. Present study was conducted to determine the effects of centhaquin in a rat model of postoperative pain. Involvement of opioid, and adrenergic receptors was assessed by pretreating rats with antagonists at the opioid (naloxone), α2-(atipamezole) or α2B-(imiloxan) adrenergic receptors. Postoperative pain was induced by hind paw plantar incision in male Sprague Dawley rats. Antihyperalgesic effects were determined by measurement of paw withdrawal latencies and withdrawal force, using dynamic von Frey filaments; attenuation of non-evoked guarding was measured by assigning pain scores to spontaneous behaviors. Rotarod test was used to determine motor impairment. Animals received saline, centhaquin or antagonist plus centhaquin. Centhaquin produced dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effect and attenuation of non-evoked guarding behavior, versus saline treated rats (P<0.05). Naloxone partially blocked while atipamezole and imiloxan significantly reversed centhaquin's antihyperalgesic effects (P<0.05). Attenuation of non-evoked guarding behavior was also blocked, but was not statistically significant. Imiloxan produced a greater block compared to atipamezole while naloxone had no significant effect. Rotarod testing indicated that centhaquin did not cause motor impairment. This is the first report demonstrating centhaquin antinociception in the rat postoperative pain model. Opioid, α2 adrenergic, and particularly α2B adrenergic receptors are involved in mediating antihyperalgesia while attenuation of nonevoked guarding is mediated by α2B/α2 adrenergic receptors. Centhaquin could be an effective non-sedating alternative in treating postoperative pain in ambulatory surgeries.

Leonard MG ，Jung S ，Andurkar SV ，Gulati A ... -  《-》

Assessment of the analgesic effect of centhaquin in mouse tail flick and hot-plate tests.

Centhaquin is a centrally acting hypotensive drug like clonidine. Clonidine also produces analgesia and hypothermia in mice and potentiates morphine analgesia. Clonidine analgesia is blocked by idazoxan and naloxone while it is potentiated by BQ123 and sulfisoxazole. This study was conducted to determine the analgesic and hypothermic properties of centhaquin, and to assess whether it potentiates morphine analgesia. Yohimbine (α(2)-adrenergic antagonist), idazoxan (imidazoline/α(2)-adrenergic antagonist), naloxone (opioid antagonist), and BQ123 and sulfisoxazole (endothelin ET(A) antagonists) were used to study the involvement of these receptors in centhaquin analgesia and hypothermia. Analgesic (tail flick and hot-plate tests) latencies and body temperatures were measured in male Swiss Webster mice treated with vehicle plus centhaquin, antagonists plus centhaquin or centhaquin plus morphine. Centhaquin produced dose-dependent analgesia which was partially blocked by yohimbine, idazoxan and naloxone. BQ123 and sulfisoxazole did not affect centhaquin analgesia. Morphine analgesia was not potentiated by centhaquin. Centhaquin produced mild hypothermia which was not blocked by yohimbine, idazoxan, naloxone, BQ123 or sulfisoxazole. This is the first report demonstrating the analgesic activity of centhaquin. The α(2)-adrenergic, imidazoline and opioid receptors are involved in mediating centhaquin analgesia. Endothelin ET(A) receptors do not play a role in centhaquin analgesia; centhaquin does not augment morphine analgesia.

Andurkar SV ，Gulati A 《-》

Tramadol antinociception is potentiated by clonidine through α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline but not by endothelin ET(A) receptors in mice.

Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic that acts via μ-opioid agonism and by blocking the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Clonidine potentiates the antinociceptive effects of tramadol; however the receptors involved in this potentiation have not been studied. Endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists potentiate antinociceptive effects of morphine and oxycodone; however the effects of endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists on tramadol antinociception have not been evaluated. This study was conducted to determine the effect of clonidine on tramadol antinociception; the role of opioid, α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline receptors in clonidine potentiation of tramadol antinociception; and the effect of endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists in modulating tramadol antinociception. Antinociceptive (tail-flick and hot-plate) latencies were measured in male Swiss Webster mice treated with tramadol; clonidine plus tramadol; or antagonists plus tramadol. Mice were pretreated with naloxone (opioid antagonist), yohimbine (α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist), idazoxan (α₂-adrenoceptor/I₂-imidazoline antagonist), BMS182874 or BQ123 (endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists) to study the involvement of these receptors. Tramadol produced a dose dependent increase in antinociceptive latencies. Tramadol antinociception was partially blocked by naloxone but not by yohimbine or idazoxan. Clonidine potentiated tramadol antinociception; potentiation was blocked by naloxone, yohimbine and idazoxan. Idazoxan produced a more pronounced blockade of potentiation than yohimbine. BMS182874 or BQ123 had no effect on tramadol antinociception, indicating that endothelin ET(A) receptors are not involved in tramadol antinociception in mice. Results demonstrate the involvement of opioid but not α₂-adrenergic/I₂-imidazoline receptors in tramadol antinociception and that opioid, α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline receptors are involved in clonidine potentiation of tramadol antinociception.

Andurkar SV ，Gendler L ，Gulati A 《-》

Further analysis of the inhibition by agmatine on the cardiac sympathetic outflow: Role of the α(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes.

This study has investigated the role of the α2-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in the inhibition of the cardiac sympathetic outflow induced by intravenous (i.v) infusions of agmatine. Therefore, we analysed the effect of an i.v. bolus injections of the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (300μg/kg; α2A), imiloxan (3000μg/kg; α2B), and JP-1302 (300μg/kg; α2C) given separately, and their combinations: BRL 44408 plus Imiloxan, JP 1302 plus imiloxan, BRL 44408 plus JP-1302, BRL 44408 plus imiloxan plus JP-1302 on the cardiac sympatho-inhibition of agmatine. Also, the effect of the combination BRL 44408 plus JP-1302 plus AGN 192403 (3000μg/kg; I1 antagonist) was evaluated. In this way, i.v. infusions of 1000μg/kg min of agmatine, but not 300, inhibited the tachycardic response induced by electrical stimulation. Furthermore, the antagonists used or their combinations had no effect on the electrically-induced tachycardic response. On the other hand, the inhibitory response of agmatine was: (1) partially antagonized by BRL 44408 or JP-1302 given separately, a similar response was observed when we administered their combination with imiloxan, but not by imiloxan alone, (2) antagonized in greater magnitude by the combination BRL 44408 plus JP-1302 or the combination BRL 44408 plus imiloxan plus JP-1302, and (3) abolished by the combination BRL 44408 plus JP-1302 plus AGN 192403. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the α2A- and α2C-adrenoceptor subtypes and I1-imidazoline receptors are involved in the inhibition of the cardiac sympathetic outflow induced by agmatine.

Cobos-Puc L ，Aguayo-Morales H ，Ventura-Sobrevilla J ，Luque-Contreras D ，Chin-Chan M ... -  《-》