title: Effect of anticonvulsant drugs in vivo on rat pineal N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.4).
abstract: The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on daytime and nighttime N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) levels was investigated. Some of the drugs caused a significant reduction in daytime NAT and HIOMT levels, possibly owing to beta-receptor blockade although other mechanisms cannot be excluded. Sulthiame caused an increase in daytime NAT levels, and this may represent a compensatory mechanism by the pineal gland to allow normal melatonin production. None of the drugs affected nocturnal HIOMT levels, and only phenobarbitone affected NAT levels, apparently causing a shift in the nocturnal peak later in the dark phase.
mesh_terms: D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000123:Acetyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008780:Methyltransferases; D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D000123:Acetyltransferases; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D007545:Isoproterenol; D010634:Phenobarbital