Can the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist-mediated suppression of nocifensive reflex responses be due to action on motoneurons or peripheral nociceptors?

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 1995-08, Vol.196 (1-2), p.29-32
• Main Authors: Hämäläinen, M M, Jyväsjärvi, E, Pertovaara, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; Animals; Imidazoles - pharmacology; Male; Medetomidine; Motor Neurons - drug effects; Nociceptors - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Wistar; Reflex - drug effects; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0304-3940

To exclude the possibility that the suppression of nocifensive reflex responses induced by alpha 2-adrenergic agents is due to action on alpha-motoneurons or peripheral nociceptors, we studied the effect of medetomidine, an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, on the monosynaptic reflex and on the primary afferent nociceptor-mediated antidromic vasodilator response in rats. Additionally, the effect on the dorsal root potential, an index of a transient excitability change in the central terminals of primary afferent fibers, was determined. Medetomidine was applied systemically at doses (100 and 300 micrograms/kg) which have proven strongly antinociceptive in previous studies. The amplitudes of a submaximal monosynaptic reflex volley or a submaximal dorsal root potential were not changed by medetomidine. Medetomidine induced a decrease of cutaneous blood flow but did not abolish the vasodilatatory response to antidromic stimulation of the sciatic nerve at C-fiber intensity as determined by the laser Doppler flow method. The results indicate that the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated suppression of nocifensive reflex responses is not caused by a decreased excitability of motoneurons or peripheral nociceptors. An alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist does not modulate the transient stimulus-evoked change in the excitability of central terminals of primary afferent fibers.