Protective effect of adenosine receptor agonists in a new model of epilepsy - seizures evoked by mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid, in mice

The role of adenosine receptor agonists in the convulsant activity of mitoc hondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), was studied in mice. The occ urrence of seizures evoked by peripheral application of 3-NPA was inhibited with the use of Al adenosine receptor agonist, R-NG-phenylisopropyladenosi ne and A1/A2 agonist, 2-chloroadenosine. Moreover, both drugs prevented 3-N PA-induced mortality. Similarly, A1/A2 agonist, 5 ' -N-ethylcarboxamidoaden osine, protected against seizures evoked by the intracerebral administratio n of 3-NPA, and this effect was reversed by the co-application of adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline. Obtained results sugge st that Al adenosine receptor activation may modulate the chain of events l eading to the development of 3-NPA-induced seizures. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.