Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase alters neurological responsiveness to a tremorigen.
Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; 200-800 mg/kg, s.c.), to rats has no detectable behavioral effects using a battery of tests to assess sensorimotor function. In contrast, the induction of tremor by chlordecone, a neurotoxic agent that affects neuronal ionic processes, is significantly attenuated by pretreatment with DFMO. The effects of DFMO on chlordecone-induced tremor were reversed by pretreatment with putrescine. DFMO had no effects on p,p'-DDT, a tremorigen having a mechanism of action different from chlordecone. These findings imply that polyamines may play a role in select neuronal processes.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D007631:Chlordecone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000518:Eflornithine; D008297:Male; D009952:Ornithine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D011700:Putrescine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D009952:Ornithine; D007631:Chlordecone; D011700:Putrescine; D000518:Eflornithine