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 mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), was studied in mice. The occurrence of seizures evoked by peripheral application of 3-NPA was inhibited with the use of A1 adenosine receptor agonist, R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine and A1/A2 agonist, 2-chloroadenosine. Moreover, both drugs prevented 3-NPA-induced mortality. Similarly, A1/A2 agonist, 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, protected against seizures evoked by the intracerebral administration of 3-NPA, and this effect was reversed by the co-application of adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline. Obtained results suggest that A1 adenosine receptor activation may modulate the chain of events leading to the development of 3-NPA-induced seizures.