title: Preventive effect of melatonin against cyanide-induced seizures and lipid peroxidation in mice.
abstract: Subcutaneous injection of potassium cyanide (6, 8, and 9 mg/kg) caused a severe tonic seizure in a dose-dependent manner. However, the incidence of seizures induced by potassium cyanide was significantly inhibited by preadministration of melatonin (20 mg/kg, s.c.) Lipid peroxidation in homogenates from whole brain of mice was significantly increased (39%, 106% and 132%, respectively) by the exposure to potassium cyanide (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mM). The potassium cyanide (0.1 mM)-induced lipid peroxidation was prevented by melatonin (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 2 mM) in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that free radicals formation and subsequent lipid peroxidation may contribute in part to the development of seizures induced by cyanide in mice.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003486:Cyanides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D008550:Melatonin