Background: The endogenous compound adenosine is known to have various modu
latory effects both in the peripheral and central nervous system. Adenosine
and its analogues induce antinociception in animal models when administrat
ed systemically and intrathecally (IT), both in acute and chronic models of
pain. Before a new drug is introduced for spinal pain treatment in humans,
experimental studies of neurotoxicity must be undertaken.
Methods: This study was performed in rats in order to reveal morphological
or morphometric signs of spinal cord damage after chronic (two weeks) admin
istration of adenosine. After insertion of IT catheters, the animals were i
njected twice a day during two weeks with adenosine (100 mu g) or saline (c
ontrols). Potential spinal neurotoxicity was evaluated morphologically by l
ight and electron microscopy supplemented by a morphometric analysis.
Results: There were no signs of histologic changes indicating neurotoxic ef
fects by any of the methods of analysis. The morphological findings in the
adenosine treated rats did not differ in any case from those of the saline
treated animals. Conclusion: The results suggest that chronic IT administra
tion of a high dose of adenosine is not associated with neurotoxicity in th
e rat spinal cord.