Effect of antiepileptic drugs on the cerebral amino acid uptake in vitro.
The effects of four commonly used antiepileptic drugs (phenobarbital, diphenylhydantoin, clonazepam and dipropylacetate) on the uptake of amino acids were investigated in mouse cerebral slices. Phenobarbital and diphenylhydantoin showed a net influence on the transport of the neutral amino acids that are also precursors of monoamine neurotransmitters, increasing their uptake. A similar effect was observed for diphenylhydantoin on GABA uptake. The increase in phenylalanine and valine uptake induced by phenobarbital was at least partly due to a decreased release of these metabolites. No major effects were observed for clonazepam and dipropylacetate. Our findings seem to indicate that some antiepileptic drugs may influence cerebral transport of neurotransmitter substances; further investigations are needed to find out whether these effects play a role in the antiepileptic action of these drugs.
D000042:Absorption; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D000596:Amino Acids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002998:Clonazepam; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D010634:Phenobarbital