[Purine analgesia: experimental results and clinical perspectives]

The high rate of dissatisfaction with analgesia in patients undergoing surgery and by those with chronic pain prompts a search for new pain relief methods. Purine analgesia may considerably ease suffering in these patient groups. This review considers the results of the studies dealing with the analgesic activity of non-selective purine receptor agonists, such as adenosine and adenosine triphosphate, on experimental models and the feasibilities of their clinical application. The paper points to the experimental studies, the results of which are the basis for the clinical use of purines. Much attention is given to the studies using purine analgesia as a component of general anesthesia. It is no less than important that good results of treatment were obtained after administration of purine agonists to patients with neuropathic pain syndromes. Thus, purine analgesia should be regarded as a promising line of the development of anesthesiology.