Akinesia due to catecholamine depletion in mice is prevented by caffeine. Further evidence for an involvement of adenosinergic system in the control of motility.
The administration of reserpine with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (2.5 and 200 mg kg-1 i.p., 24 and 3 h before the test, respectively) induced a marked akinesia in mice. This effect was significantly and dose-dependently reversed by the methylxanthine, caffeine. The anti-akinetic effect of caffeine within a pattern of catecholamine depletion has been interpreted as a dopamine mimetic activity of this drug. The possible involvement of the adenosine system in this effect of caffeine is discussed.
Pharmacology Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
P
P
Popoli
M G
MG
Caporali
A
A
Scotti de Carolis
D000241:Adenosine / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
D002395:Catecholamines; D008781:Methyltyrosines; D002110:Caffeine; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D012110:Reserpine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000241:Adenosine