Presynaptic effect of clonidine on unmyelinated afferent fibers in the spinal cord of the cat. 1986

O Calvillo, and M Ghignone

The effects of clonidine (Clo) were investigated on the excitability of intraspinal primary afferent terminals of both A- and C-fibers of cutaneous origin. Primary afferent terminal excitability was tested by delivering constant current pulses to the dorsal horn of acutely spinalized cats anesthetized with pentobarbital. Clo given i.v. selectively increased the excitability of the C-fiber primary afferent terminals (mean 85%). Primary afferent terminal excitability of A-fibers was not affected. This effect of Clo was reversed by yohimbine or phentolamine, thus suggesting mediation by alpha2-adrenoceptors. These findings suggest a presynaptic inhibitory effect of Clo in spinal nociceptive pathways that might explain the mechanism of action of this drug.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007275 Injections, Intravenous Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes. Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D009412 Nerve Fibers Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D009475 Neurons, Afferent Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D010646 Phentolamine A nonselective alpha-adrenergic antagonist. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and hypertensive emergencies, pheochromocytoma, vasospasm of RAYNAUD DISEASE and frostbite, clonidine withdrawal syndrome, impotence, and peripheral vascular disease. Fentolamin,Phentolamine Mesilate,Phentolamine Mesylate,Phentolamine Methanesulfonate,Phentolamine Mono-hydrochloride,Regitine,Regityn,Rogitine,Z-Max,Mesilate, Phentolamine,Mesylate, Phentolamine,Methanesulfonate, Phentolamine,Mono-hydrochloride, Phentolamine,Phentolamine Mono hydrochloride
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003000 Clonidine An imidazoline sympatholytic agent that stimulates ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS and central IMIDAZOLINE RECEPTORS. It is commonly used in the management of HYPERTENSION. Catapres,Catapresan,Catapressan,Chlophazolin,Clofelin,Clofenil,Clonidine Dihydrochloride,Clonidine Hydrochloride,Clonidine Monohydrobromide,Clonidine Monohydrochloride,Clopheline,Dixarit,Gemiton,Hemiton,Isoglaucon,Klofelin,Klofenil,M-5041T,ST-155,Dihydrochloride, Clonidine,Hydrochloride, Clonidine,M 5041T,M5041T,Monohydrobromide, Clonidine,Monohydrochloride, Clonidine,ST 155,ST155
D000200 Action Potentials Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli. Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013116 Spinal Cord A cylindrical column of tissue that lies within the vertebral canal. It is composed of WHITE MATTER and GRAY MATTER. Coccygeal Cord,Conus Medullaris,Conus Terminalis,Lumbar Cord,Medulla Spinalis,Myelon,Sacral Cord,Thoracic Cord,Coccygeal Cords,Conus Medullari,Conus Terminali,Cord, Coccygeal,Cord, Lumbar,Cord, Sacral,Cord, Spinal,Cord, Thoracic,Cords, Coccygeal,Cords, Lumbar,Cords, Sacral,Cords, Spinal,Cords, Thoracic,Lumbar Cords,Medulla Spinali,Medullari, Conus,Medullaris, Conus,Myelons,Sacral Cords,Spinal Cords,Spinali, Medulla,Spinalis, Medulla,Terminali, Conus,Terminalis, Conus,Thoracic Cords

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