title: Effect of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and some related drugs on maximal electroshock seizures in mice.
abstract: (+/-) Propranolol (1-50 mg/kg), (+) propranolol (50 mg/kg) and pindolol (10-50 mg/kg) exhibited significant protective effects against MES (maximum electroshock seizures), whereas, timolol (1 mg/kg), the propranolol analog, UM-272 (1 and 10 mg/kg), and the beta-agonist, terbutaline (1 and 10 mg/kg) were ineffective. Cholinergic agents, physostigmine (0.01-1.0 mg/kg), and atropine (1 and 10 mg/kg), the serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine (0.05 mg/kg), and the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin (10 mg/kg), were also without effect on the MES extensor phase. Further, pretreatment of mice with terbutaline, atropine, cyproheptadine or indomethacin did not influence the anti-MES effect of propranolol to any significant extent. The results indicate that the observed anticonvulsant effects of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are unrelated to noradrenergic or other central neurotransmitter systems and that a non-specific mechanism, probably a membrane stabilizing effect is involved.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alkondon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003533:Cyproheptadine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004597:Electroshock; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D003533:Cyproheptadine; D001285:Atropine; D010830:Physostigmine; D007213:Indomethacin