title: Effect of antiepileptic drugs on the cerebral amino acid uptake in vitro.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002998:Clonazepam; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D010634:Phenobarbital