title: Biological actions in vivo and in vitro of two gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analogues: beta-chloro GABA and beta-phenyl GABA.
abstract: 1 The synthesis of two analogues of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), beta-chloro GABA and beta-phenyl GABA is described.2 The activity of brain GABA aminotransferase was inhibited by beta-chloro GABA (5.7 x 10(-5)M) and beta-phenyl GABA (4.6 x 10(-3)M) in a competitive manner with GABA.3 beta-Chloro GABA exhibited 50% of the inhibitory activity of GABA in blocking the discharge of the crayfish stretch receptor neurone; beta-phenyl GABA had no detectable effect.4 Injection of beta-phenyl GABA (200 mg/kg) into normal or epileptic cats (cobalt) caused the appearance of synchronized slow-wave EEG activity.5 Administration of beta-chloro GABA (200 mg/kg) to epileptic cats (cobalt) produced a temporary diminution or abolition of epileptic discharges while causing no alteration in normal EEG activity.6 beta-Chloro GABA and beta-phenyl GABA had no effect on the concentrations of catecholamines or of amino acids in mouse brain.7 The results suggest that both beta-chloro GABA and beta-phenyl GABA may pass the blood-brain barrier.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000613:Aminobutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D000637:Transaminases / Q000378:metabolism; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000613:Aminobutyrates; D002395:Catecholamines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000637:Transaminases