Effects of (-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (PIA) and caffeine on nociception and morphine-induced analgesia, tolerance and dependence in mice.

(-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (PIA) was shown to possess analgesic activity in both the tail flick and acetic acid writhing assays. The analgesic actions of PIA were antagonized by caffeine in a dose-dependent manner. An apparent pA2 analysis in vivo suggested that the antagonism by caffeine was not competitive. Subanalgesic doses of PIA potentiated morphine-induced analgesia, tolerance and dependence. Caffeine antagonized these effects of morphine. PIA attenuated while caffeine exacerbated opiate withdrawal. While a low dose of caffeine antagonized PIA effects on withdrawal, a low dose of PIA did not antagonize the effects of caffeine. These results indicate that PIA can facilitate, and caffeine can antagonize the actions of morphine and that caffeine may be exerting some of its actions independent of adenosine receptor antagonism.