title: Monoamine metabolites, iron induced seizures, and the anticonvulsant effect of tannins.
abstract: Intracortical injections of iron ions have been shown to induce recurrent seizures and epileptic discharges in the EEG. (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), isolated from green tea leaves, have been reported to prevent or diminish the occurrence of epileptic discharges induced by iron ions, and to inhibit catechol-O-methyltransferase. Iron ions significantly increased DOPAC and HVA levels in the intrastriatal perfusate 140 and 180 minutes, respectively, after injection. EGC and EGCG inhibited the increases induced by iron ions. Furthermore, EGCG decreased the HVA level in the perfusate 200 minutes after injection whether or not iron ions were injected. Iron ions had no effect on the 5-HIAA level, and EGC and EGCG raised it. These results suggest that formation of an epileptic focus induced by iron ions might be accompanied by activation of dopaminergic neurons, and that EGC and EGCG inhibit that hyperactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurochemistry, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kabuto
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002712:Chlorides; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D002712:Chlorides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005419:Flavonoids; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; C057580:gallocatechol; C024555:ferric chloride; D006719:Homovanillic Acid