Role of endogenous adenosine in the expression of opiate withdrawal in rats

Samples of extracellular fluid from striatum and nucleus accumbens of anaesthetised rats undergoing opiate withdrawal were collected using microdialysis and then analysed for adenosine and its metabolites using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraviolet (UV) detection. Although the amount of adenosine present in the dialysate from either brain region was below the limit of detection by 90 min after probe placement, the metabolites could still be detected. Samples of dialysates collected from the nucleus accumbens contained significantly higher concentrations of hypoxanthine and inosine following naloxone challenge. The data are compatible with the hypothesis that endogenous adenosine might be involved in the expression of the opiate abstinence syndrome.