Action of lisuride on reserpine-induced muscular rigidity in rats after local application into the striatum, ventricular space or the spinal subarachnoid space.

Muscular rigidity was induced in rats by reserpine (10 mg/kg) and the tonic activity of the gastrocnemic muscle was recorded in the electromyogram. Systemic administration of lisuride, an ergoline, resulted in a dose-dependent depression of rigidity. To examine the site of action of lisuride, we injected lisuride into the striatum, the ventricular space, and the spinal subarachnoid space of intact reserpinized rats. Lisuride is effective if injected into either the striatum or the spinal subarachnoid space, the spinal effect being more pronounced. These results suggest that the spinal cord is an important site of action of lisuride.