title: Proline and proline derivatives as anticonvulsants.
abstract: 1. The anticonvulsant properties of L-proline, of proline derivatives (trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, cis-4-hydroxy-D-proline, 3,4-dehydro-D,L-proline) and of D- and L-pipecolic acid were studied alone and in combination with vigabatrin (R/S-4-aminohex-5-enoic acid). 3-Mercaptopropionic acid and pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in mice were used as animal models of epilepsy. 2. Proline and proline derivatives are weak anticonvulsants if given alone in doses up to 10 mmol/kg, however, they are capable of potentiating the anticonvulsant effects of vigabatrin, in a manner similar to that reported previously for glycine, and some glycine derivatives. Among the compounds tested, trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline was the most potent anticonvulsant in combination with the indirect GABA agonist vigabatrin. 3. A potential explanation for the synergistic anticonvulsant effect of the combination of the GABA agonist and proline is the presumed role of proline as inhibitory neurotransmitter, and/or its glutamate antagonistic effects. 4. The current study points out the lack of basic knowledge on the neurochemistry and pharmacology of proline and hydroxyproline.
authors.affiliation: Merrell Dow Research Institute, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarhan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seiler
mesh_terms: D015097:3-Mercaptopropionic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010875:Pipecolic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D011392:Proline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013331:Strychnine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010875:Pipecolic Acids; C002195:3,4-dehydroproline; D011392:Proline; D015097:3-Mercaptopropionic Acid; C031345:pipecolic acid; D013331:Strychnine; D006909:Hydroxyproline; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole