title: Interaction between GABAergic anticonvulsants and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 against MES- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rats.
abstract: The interaction between GABAergic (barbiturates, diazepam, ethanol) and other (phenytoin) anticonvulsants and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK 801 in protecting rats against maximal electroshock (MES)- and picrotoxin-induced (10 mg/kg) convulsions was studied. MK 801 (0.1 to 5 mg/kg) showed anticonvulsant responses against MES-induced convulsions in a dose dependent manner, higher doses showing severe muscle relaxation, motor incoordination, and anticonvulsant action. It also produced stereotypic head movement, circling behavior, and affected locomotion. When subanticonvulsant dose (1 mg/kg) of MK 801 was simultaneously administered with subprotective doses of GABAergic anticonvulsants, it significantly potentiated the effects of barbiturates, as compared to other agents. At 1 mg/kg, MK 801 did not offer protection against tonic convulsions though protected (100%) the animals from mortality due to picrotoxin-induced convulsions. It potentiated the effect of a subprotective dose (5 mg/kg) of pentobarbital, but not of diazepam, against tonic convulsions. However, no mortality was observed in either group. The antiglutamate action of barbiturates, particularly that of pentobarbital, may contribute to the observed potentiating response between pentobarbital and MK 801.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7764.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ticku
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D004597:Electroshock; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010852:Picrotoxin; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003975:Diazepam; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D000431:Ethanol; D010424:Pentobarbital; D010634:Phenobarbital; D010672:Phenytoin; D010852:Picrotoxin; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter