2-Chloroadenosine prevents kainic acid-induced toxicity in rat striatum

The stable adenosine analogue, 2-chloroadenosine was found to afford a dose-dependent protection (effective dose range: 12.5-50 nmol) against the characteristic neurotoxic actions of kainic acid (2.2 nmol) in rat striatum. The two agents were co-injected directly into the striatum and the extent of the excitotoxin-induced lesion assessed two weeks later in 40 microns coronal sections stained with thionin, or by histochemical staining for NADPH-dependent diaphorase. These findings provide further information concerning the possible mechanism(s) underlying kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity and also yield an insight into a possible neuroprotective role for endogenous adenosine-like substances.