Anxiolytic-like effect of the GABA-transaminase inhibitor vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA) on rat exploratory activity.
Vigabatrin (gamma-vinyl GABA, GVG) is an irreversible inhibitor of GABA-transaminase (GABA-T). This study addressed the question of whether or not the inhibition of GABA-T has an anxiolytic effect in rats. Diazepam (1.5 mg/kg) and GVG (50 and 500 mg/kg) increased the tendency of rats to explore in the elevated plus-maze test, whereas the effect of general locomotor activity was diminished. The sedative effect of GVG (500 mg/kg) was more pronounced 6 h than 2 h after IP administration. The present findings suggest that even a partial inhibition of GABA-T results in a reduction of anxiety measures in a novel environment.
Sherif
F
F
Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Harro
J
J
el-Hwuegi
A
A
Oreland
L
L
D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020888:Vigabatrin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000612:4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase; D020888:Vigabatrin; D003975:Diazepam