title: Branched-chain amino acids increase the seizure threshold to picrotoxin in rats.
abstract: During infusion of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in humans, changes in ventilatory drive, appetite, and sleep have been reported. The mechanism by which BCAAs exert their effects on CNS remains unclear. Picrotoxin is a proconvulsant drug, acting as an antagonist on the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex. Twenty rats were randomized to receive either an IP injection with 4% BCAAs (300 mg/kg; 8 ml/kg) (n = 10) or placebo (saline 8 ml/kg) (n = 10). The mean latency time from injection to onset of seizures was recorded as an indication of the seizure threshold. Latency time was significantly longer for BCAAs than for placebo, 11.2 (+/- 1.9) vs. 8.3 (+/- 1.8) min. Thus, a BCAA injection increased the seizure threshold to picrotoxin (p < 0.03). This suggests that BCAA infusion may exert effects on the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Ullevaal Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skeie
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Askanazi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jellum
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Steen
mesh_terms: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D008297:Male; D010852:Picrotoxin; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D010852:Picrotoxin