title: The anticonvulsant action of L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid.
abstract: The GABA uptake inhibitor, L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (L-DABA) was examined for potential anticonvulsant activity in mice. Given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v., 2 mumoles) L-DABA almost doubled the CD50 of picrotoxin and 3-mercaptopropionate (3-MP), a glutamate decarboxylase inhibitor--the convulsants being administered 15 min after the L-DABA. The anticonvulsant effect was not observed after 40 min. L-DABA given i.p (5 mmoles/kg) was also anticonvulsant against 3-MP but given i.p. or i.c.v. had no anticonvulsant action against strychnine. The D-isomer of DABA, less active as an inhibitor of GABA uptake, had no anticonvulsant activity against 3-MP and nor did three other inhibitors of GABA uptake, namely nipecotic acid, cis-1,3-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (ACHA) and beta-alanine. Possible mechanisms of the anticonvulsant action of L-DABA are discussed.
mesh_terms: D015097:3-Mercaptopropionic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013331:Strychnine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015097:3-Mercaptopropionic Acid; D000613:Aminobutyrates; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010852:Picrotoxin; D013331:Strychnine