title: BU-224 produces spinal antinociception as an agonist at imidazoline I2 receptors.
abstract: In this electrophysiological study, the effect of BU-224 (2-(4,5-dihydroimidazol-2yl)-quinoline hydrochloride)), a novel high affinity imidazoline I2 receptor ligand, was tested on the responses of nociceptive neurones in the spinal dorsal horn. When applied spinally, akin to an intrathecal application (i.t.), BU-224 (5-250 microg) reduced the nociceptive responses of dorsal horn neurones, producing a dose-dependent inhibition of C-fibre evoked responses, postdischarge and wind-up of the cells. A complete block of the antinociceptive effects was produced when idazoxan (100 microg), with both alpha2-adrenoceptor and imidazoline I2 receptor antagonist actions, was administered i.t. 10 min prior to the maximal dose of BU-224 tested. The nonselective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, yohimbine (150 microg) only partially attenuated the inhibitory effects of BU-224 when administered i.t. 10 min prior. The highly selective alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole (100 microg) produced no greater reversal than yohimbine under the same conditions. Although BU-224 has been reported to possess high affinity for imidazoline I2 receptors, a minor action at spinal alpha2-adrenoceptor receptors cannot be discounted. These results demonstrate that BU-224 is an agonist and that imidazoline I2 receptors, present in the dorsal horn, might play a role in spinal nociception, although further studies are needed to fully elucidate their functional roles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University College, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mayet
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Dickenson
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology; D019329:Idazoxan / Q000494:pharmacology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054755:Imidazoline Receptors; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000819:agonists*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; C105826:BU 224; D007093:Imidazoles; D054755:Imidazoline Receptors; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C050701:atipamezole; D015016:Yohimbine; D019329:Idazoxan