Inhibition of the shake response in rats by adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine.

Shaking movements, similar to those made by a dog when wet, were elicited in rats by immersion in ice-water, injections of icilin, a chemical that produces sensations of cold, and naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine produced dose-dependent inhibition of shaking to ice-water and icilin. The 2-chloroadenosine effect was mediated centrally because the ICV dose required to produce inhibition was not effective when given IP. Caffeine antagonized the inhibitory effects of adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine. 2-Chloroadenosine suppressed morphine-abstinence shaking as well as the body weight loss that normally accompanies withdrawal.