Acetylsalicylic acid inhibits α,β-meATP-induced facilitation of neck muscle nociception in mice--implications for acute treatment of tension-type headache.
Infusion of α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP) into murine neck muscle facilitates brainstem nociception. This animal experimental model is suggested to be appropriate for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms in tension-type headache. It was hypothesized that d-lysine acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin®) reverses this α,β-meATP effect. Facilitation of neck muscle nociceptive processing was induced via bilateral infusion of α,β-meATP into semispinal neck muscles (100 nM, 20 μl each) in 42 anesthetized mice. Brainstem nociception was monitored by the jaw-opening reflex elicited via electrical tongue stimulation. The hypothesis was addressed by subsequent (15, 30, 60 mg/kg) and preceding (60 mg/kg) intraperitoneal ASA injection. Saline served as control to ASA solution. Subsequent ASA dose-dependently reversed α,β-meATP-induced reflex facilitation and was the most prominent with 60 mg/kg. Preceding 60 mg/kg ASA prevented reflex facilitation. Cyclooxygenases are involved in nociceptive transmission. Former experiments showed that unspecific inhibition of cyclooxygenases does not alter the α,β-meATP effect. This suggests a specific mode of action of ASA. The concept is accepted that neck muscle nociception is involved in the pathophysiology of tension-type headache. Thus, objective proof of ASA effects in this experimental model may emphasize its major role in pharmacological treatment of tension-type headache attacks.
Medical Physiology and Experimental Pharmacology Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Medical Faculty, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Dejan
D
Ristic
Peter
P
Spangenberg
Jens
J
Ellrich
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D059225:Nociception / Q000187:drug effects*; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; C002630:alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate; D001241:Aspirin