Possible Interaction: Adenosine and Amitriptyline

“Recent observations suggest that adenosine is involved in the antinociceptive effect of amitriptyline.”

“Our results indicate that amitriptyline augmented the cardiovascular effects of endogen adenosine by increasing plasma levels of adenosine in rats.”

“In uptake studies using cultured rat C6 glioma cells, amitriptyline inhibited adenosine uptake by an adenosine transporter (IC50 0.37 +/- 0.12 mM).”

“Local injection of amitriptyline into the plantar hindpaw, at doses that produce peripheral antinociception (100-300 nmol), produced an increase in local extracellular levels of adenosine.”

“The present study used peripheral microdialysis: (a) to determine whether amitriptyline could enhance extracellular tissue levels of endogenous adenosine in the rat hindpaw and (b) to examine mechanisms by which such an increase could occur.”

“These results demonstrate that amitriptyline : (a) enhances extracellular tissue levels of adenosine in the rat hindpaw following local administration in vivo and (b) inhibits adenosine uptake but has no effect on metabolism in vitro.”

“When administered in combination with exogenous adenosine, amitriptyline augmented recovery of adenosine in the probe.”

“Recent observations suggest the involvement of adenosine in the peripheral antinociceptive effect of amitriptyline in nerve-injury-induced neuropathic pain.”

“Both the symptom-specific effect, and adenosine involvement in amitriptyline action may be important considerations governing its use in neuropathic pain.”