Elsevier

Neuropharmacology

Volume 26, Issue 12, December 1987, Pages 1721-1725
Neuropharmacology

Higher susceptibility of taurine-deficient rats to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine

https://doi.org/10.1016/0028-3908(87)90123-7Get rights and content

Abstract

The susceptibility of rats made deficient of taurine by treatment with guanidinoethane sulfonate (GES), to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine was examined. Guanidinoethane sulfonate, at a concentration of 1% was administered to pregnant rats, in the drinking water 2–3 days prior to delivery and the treatment was continued during nursing. Pups were weaned to the same treatment until 6 weeks of age. This treatment decreased levels of taurine in the cerebral cortex by 70%. 4-Aminopyridine was injected intraperitoneally at doses ranging from 4–7 mgkg. Taurine-deficient rats showed a greater susceptibility to seizures, as demonstrated by a lowered latency for clonic seizures, an increased incidence of tonic seizures and a higher postseizure mortality. These results suggest an involvement of endogenous taurine in nervous excitability.

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      There was also no correlation between plasma taurine and other biochemical parameters such as Mg, Ca, and phosphate. Pasanet-Morales et al. [34] showed a greater susceptibility to seizures in taurine-deficient rats, as demonstrated by a lowered latency for clonic seizures, an increased incidence of tonic seizures and a higher postseizure mortality. They suggested an involvement of endogenous taurine in nervous excitability.

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