title: Propranolol-induced seizures in mice: the role of noradrenaline.
abstract: The effects of some noradrenergic agents, phenobarbitone, diazepam and phenytoin on seizures produced by propranolol were investigated in mice. Isoprenaline and DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (DOPS) effectively antagonized the seizures elicited by propranolol. Pargyline and imipramine significantly attenuated propranolol-induced seizures and also significantly potentiated the protecting effect of DOPS against the seizures. alpha-Methyl-p-tyrosine, disulfiram and reserpine significantly potentiated propranolol-elicited seizures. However, DOPS significantly antagonized the seizure-potentiating effects of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, disulfiram and reserpine. Phenylephrine, clonidine, prazosin, idazoxan, phenobarbitone, diazepam and phenytoin did not significantly alter propranolol-induced seizures. These results suggest that propranolol-induced seizures in mice may involve a noradrenergic mechanism mediated via central beta-adrenoceptors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa. george@pharmacy.uwc.ac.za
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Amabeoku
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Syce
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology; D015103:Droxidopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007099:Imipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D010293:Pargyline / Q000494:pharmacology; D011433:Propranolol; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D012110:Reserpine; D010293:Pargyline; D011433:Propranolol; D015103:Droxidopa; D007545:Isoproterenol; D007099:Imipramine; D004221:Disulfiram; D009638:Norepinephrine