Anticonvulsant effects of intracerebroventricular adenocard in theophylline-induced seizures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential anticonvulsant effects of Adenocard in theophylline-induced seizures, we developed a rodent model of theophylline neurotoxicity with resultant convulsions. We used this model to investigate the actions of intracerebroventricular (ICV) Adenocard on seizure onset.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
Surgical cannulation of the jugular veins of the rats was followed by stereotaxic placement of a catheter in the right lateral ventricle. The rats then received 15 micrograms (5 microL) ICV Adenocard or an equivalent. Ten seconds later, continuous infusion of IV aminophylline was begun at a rate of 75 mg/minute until the appearance of generalized convulsions with maximal hindlimb extension.


RESULTS
Compared with vehicle-injected controls, rats that received ICV Adenocard had a significant delay in mean time to seizure (162.1 seconds versus 107.4 seconds; P < .001). There was a corresponding increase in the weight-adjusted convulsant dose of aminophylline after the ICV administration of Adenocard (311.4 mg/kg versus 470.4 mg/kg; P < .003).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data indicate that ICV Adenocard ameliorates theophylline-induced seizures. Potential anticonvulsant benefits of Adenocard and other adenosinergic compounds for victims of severe theophylline poisoning should be investigated further.
Shannon
M
M
Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Maher
T
T
D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects
D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline; D000241:Adenosine