Adenosine, intrathecally administered, produces antinociception in experimental studies on animals. The effect of intravenous (i.v.) adenosine on experimentally induced pain in humans has not been studied. The present single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted in nine healthy volunteers. The pain-reducing effects of adenosine (70 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 i.v.), morphine (0.1 mg/kg i.v.), ketamine (0.1 mg/kg i.v.), adenosine + morphine, and adenosine + ketamine were compared to each other and to placebo in random order. Ischemic pain was induced by the submaximum effort tourniquet technique. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100 mm). The sums of pain scores (SPS) were compared and found significantly 30%-40% lower for adenosine as well as for the other compounds and combinations (P < 0.03), compared to placebo. The number of subjects who reached VAS 100 within 30 min was significantly lower (P < 0.03) when receiving adenosine + morphine (0/9) and adenosine + ketamine (2/9) than when receiving placebo (7/9). This may indicate an additive effect on pain reduction when adenosine is given in combination with morphine or ketamine. In conclusion, the results indicate that i.v. adenosine, as well as morphine and ketamine, can reduce experimentally induced ischemic muscle pain in healthy volunteers.

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