A new endogenous anxiolytic agent: L-pyroglutamic acid.
By use of a simple anticonflict procedure (Vogel test), it was demonstrated that L-pyroglutamic acid (L-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid [L-PCA]), an amino acid naturally occurring in mammalian tissues and fluids, possesses anxiolytic activity. This tissues and fluids, possesses anxiolytic activity. This effect was stereospecific (D-PCA was inactive) and, in the rat, it was not associated with a decrease in motor activity. Ro 15-1788, a benzodiazepine antagonist, did not modify L-PCA actions. Furthermore, anxiolytic doses of the amino acid did not change the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the rat cortex and hippocampus. These results suggest that the mechanism of the anxiolytic activity of L-PCA is different from that of the benzodiazepines and of 5-HT1a agonists.
Beni
M
M
Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica Mario Aiazzi Mancini, Università di Firenze, Italy.
Pellegrini-Giampietro
D E
DE
Moroni
F
F
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D005442:Flumazenil; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid