Protective effects of GABAergic drugs and other anticonvulsants in lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1996 Jun;18(5):335-40.

Abstract

Administration of subconvulsive dose of pilocarpine (30 mg/kg s.c.) to rats pretreated with lithium chloride (3 meq/kg i.p.) produced a state of status epilepticus in animals. The animals showed characteristic symptoms of generalized convulsions, wet dog shakes (WDS), forelimb clonus and falling back. The symptoms of status epilepticus (SE) developed within 26.8 +/- 3.6 min after administering pilocarpine and these symptoms continued uninterrupted. The phenomenon was totally reproducible, with a consistent latency of onset of seizures and a high mortality rate. The symptoms were blocked by atropine, scopolamine and the GABAergic agents GABA, sodium valproate, (+)-baclofen and clonazepam when given prior to pilocarpine, but not when administered 30 min after pilocarpine administration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Baclofen / pharmacology
  • Clonazepam / pharmacology
  • Diazepam / pharmacology
  • Dizocilpine Maleate / pharmacology
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • GABA Agents / pharmacology
  • GABA Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lithium Chloride / adverse effects*
  • Lithium Chloride / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Pentobarbital / pharmacology
  • Phenobarbital / pharmacology
  • Phenytoin / pharmacology
  • Pilocarpine / adverse effects*
  • Pilocarpine / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Status Epilepticus / chemically induced*
  • Status Epilepticus / prevention & control
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • GABA Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Pilocarpine
  • Ethanol
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Clonazepam
  • Valproic Acid
  • Phenytoin
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • Lithium Chloride
  • Baclofen
  • Pentobarbital
  • Diazepam
  • Phenobarbital