title: Effects of L-arginine on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats.
abstract: It has been suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Data are, however controversial because it is not clear whether NO has pro- or anticonvulsant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NO on penicillin G-induced epileptiform activity. The left cerebral cortex was exposed by craniotomy in urethane-anesthetized Wistar rats. The epileptic activity was produced by intraperitoneal injection of penicillin G (3 million U/kg, i.p.). The ECoG (electrocorticogram) activity was displayed on a four-channel recorder. At 39.7 +/- 5.4 min after penicillin administration, large amplitude sharp waves appeared in the ECoG. Mean spike frequency and mean spike amplitude were calculated as 29.5 +/- 3.2/min and 865 +/- 91 microV, respectively, at the 55th min. 7-Nitroindazole (60 mg/kg, i.p.) injection 30 min before penicillin G administration significantly reduced the latency of epileptiform activity. Intracerebroventricular administration of L-arginine (300 microg/2 microl, i.c.v.) and sodium nitroprusside (100 microg/2 microl, i.c.v.) suppressed epileptiform activity. Saline (2 microl) and D-arginine (300 microg/2 microl, i.c.v.) administration into the cerebral ventricle were completely ineffective on epileptiform activity (P<0.01). These findings suggest that NO may be an endogenous antiepileptic substance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marangoz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bağirici
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D010406:Penicillins; D009599:Nitroprusside; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine