title: The clonidine-induced self-injurious behavior of mice involves purinergic mechanisms.
abstract: Mode of action of clonidine involved in self-injurious behavior was assessed in mice. Single injection of clonidine (50 mg/kg, IP) evoked a self-biting which occurred more frequently under the condition of isolation and food-deprivation for 24 hr. The clonidine-induced self-biting was not reduced, but rather potentiated by pretreatment with phentolamine (10 mg/kg). This behavior was enhanced by theophylline (20 mg/kg) but was inhibited to some extent by adenosine (10 mg/kg) or dipyridamole (10 mg/kg). In addition, the self-injurious behavior was completely antagonized by combined pretreatment with adenosine (10 mg/kg) and dipyridamole (10 mg/kg), and by potent adenosine agonists, such as N6-(L-phenylisopropyl) adenosine (0.2 mg/kg) and N6-cyclohexyladenosine (0.2 mg/kg). These results, therefore, suggest that the clonidine-induced self-biting could be substantially attributed to adenosine A1-receptor blockade as documented for pharmacological property of theophylline in the brain.
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011687:Purines; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D013806:Theophylline; D003000:Clonidine