Suppression of neurotoxicity of ammonia by L-carnitine.
Administration of ammonium acetate to mice caused seizures and alterations of brain energy metabolites. Pretreatment of animals with L-carnitine suppressed the frequency of the seizures and prolonged the latency to the first fit. When examined using the 'freeze clamp' method, brain energy metabolites were well preserved and the elevation of ammonia was less marked on administration of L-carnitine. Thus, L-carnitine suppresses ammonia-induced seizures and biochemical alterations of the brain in mice.
Matsuoka
M
M
Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Igisu
H
H
Kohriyama
K
K
Inoue
N
N
D000641:Ammonia / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
D000641:Ammonia; D002331:Carnitine