The activity produced by the adenine nucleotides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and by potassium, acetylcholine (ACh), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and bradykinin when applied to an exposed blister base on the ear of anaesthetized rabbits or intra‐arterially to anaesthetized cats was investigated in multiple strands dissected from the auricular‐temporal and saphenous nerves of rabbits and cats, respectively.
In the rabbit preparation potassium and the adenine nucleotides produced activity in the nerve fibres. The effects of these substances were produced in comparable dose ranges; threshold effects being produced by potassium at a concentration of 13 mm and by ADP at a concentration of 4 mm. ACh, 5‐HT and bradykinin were inactive at similar or higher concentrations.
In the cat preparation all the substances tested produced activity in the nerve fibres. The adenine nucleotides were comparatively less potent than ACh, 5‐HT or bradykinin, but had greater potency than potassium.
It was concluded that the adenine nucleotides do possess effects on afferent nerve terminals or fibres and thus resemble other known algogenic substances such as potassium, ACh, 5‐HT and bradykinin.
The activity produced by the adenine nucleotides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and by potassium, acetylcholine (ACh), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and bradykinin when applied to an exposed blister base on the ear of anaesthetized rabbits or intra‐arterially to anaesthetized cats was investigated in multiple strands dissected from the auricular‐temporal and saphenous nerves of rabbits and cats, respectively.
In the rabbit preparation potassium and the adenine nucleotides produced activity in the nerve fibres. The effects of these substances were produced in comparable dose ranges; threshold effects being produced by potassium at a concentration of 13 mm and by ADP at a concentration of 4 mm. ACh, 5‐HT and bradykinin were inactive at similar or higher concentrations.
In the cat preparation all the substances tested produced activity in the nerve fibres. The adenine nucleotides were comparatively less potent than ACh, 5‐HT or bradykinin, but had greater potency than potassium.
It was concluded that the adenine nucleotides do possess effects on afferent nerve terminals or fibres and thus resemble other known algogenic substances such as potassium, ACh, 5‐HT and bradykinin.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1978.tb07764.x
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