Acetylsalicylic acid inhibits α,β-meATP-induced facilitation of neck muscle nociception in mice--implications for acute treatment of tension-type headache.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Dejan Ristic, Peter Spangenberg, Jens Ellrich
• Journal: European journal of pharmacology (Eur J Pharmacol) Vol. 673 Issue 1-3 Pg. 13-9 (Dec 30 2011) ISSN: 1879-0712 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22032900 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
• Adenosine Triphosphate
• alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate
• Aspirin

Topics

• Adenosine Triphosphate (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Aspirin (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Neck Muscles (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Nociception (drug effects)
• Tension-Type Headache (drug therapy, physiopathology)