title: 2-phosphonomethyl-pentanedioic acid (glutamate carboxypeptidase II inhibitor) increases threshold for electroconvulsions and enhances the antiseizure action of valproate against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice.
abstract: This study examined the effect of 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA), a potent and selective inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCP II), an enzyme releasing glutamate and N-acetyl-aspartate from synaptical terminals, on the electroconvulsive threshold in mice. Moreover, the influence of 2-PMPA on the anticonvulsant activities of four conventional antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate) was evaluated in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test in mice. Results indicated that 2-PMPA (at a dose range of 50-200 mg/kg, i.p.) raised the electroconvulsive threshold in mice dose-dependently. Linear regression analysis of dose-response relationship between the doses of 2-PMPA and their corresponding threshold values allowed the calculation of threshold increasing dose by 20% (TID20), which was 109.2 mg/kg. Moreover, 2-PMPA administered i.p. at a constant dose of 150 mg/kg (the dose increasing the threshold for electroconvulsions) enhanced significantly the anticonvulsant action of valproate, by reducing its median effective dose (ED50) from 281.4 to 230.1 mg/kg (P<0.05). In contrast, 2-PMPA at the lower dose of 100 mg/kg (i.p.) had no impact on the antiseizure activity of valproate in the maximal electroshock-induced seizure test. Likewise, 2-PMPA at 100 and 150 mg/kg did not affect the antiseizure action of carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Additionally, none of the combinations investigated between 2-PMPA (150 mg/kg, i.p.) and carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproate (at their ED50 values) produced motor coordination impairment in the chimney test. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of interaction between 2-PMPA and valproate revealed that 2-PMPA at 150 mg/kg selectively increased total brain concentrations of valproate, remaining simultaneously without any effect on free plasma concentrations of valproate, indicating a pharmacokinetic nature of observed interaction in the maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. Based on our preclinical data, it may be concluded that 2-PMPA possesses a seizure modulating property by increasing the electroconvulsive threshold. The reduction of glutamate neurotransmission in the brain, as a consequence of inhibition of GCP II activity by 2-PMPA, was however insufficient to enhance the anticonvulsant activity of conventional antiepileptic drugs, except for valproate, whose antiseizure action against maximal electroconvulsions was potentiated by 2-PMPA. Unfortunately, the favourable interaction between 2-PMPA and valproate was associated with a pharmacokinetic increase in total brain valproate concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, PL 20-090 Lublin, Poland. jluszczki@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jarogniew J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Luszczki
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Stanislaw J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Czuczwar
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C402107:2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D043425:Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II; D010634:Phenobarbital