Relationships between the sedative and hypnotic effects of intracerebroventricular administration of L-serine and its metabolites, pyruvate and the derivative amino acids contents in the neonatal chicks under acute stressful conditions.
Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of L-serine was shown to have sedative and hypnotic effects on neonatal chicks under acute stressful conditions. To clarify the central mechanism of these effects of L-serine, two experiments were done. First, we focused on the glycogenic pathway in which L-serine is converted into pyruvate and finally glucose. I.c.v. administration of pyruvate (0.84 micromol) did not induce any behavioral and endocrinological changes, while L-serine and glucose triggered sedative and hypnotic effects. Secondly, the relationship between the sedation by L-serine and the metabolism into other amino acids which have sedative effects was investigated in the telencephalon and diencephalon. In both brain areas, a dose-dependent increase was seen in L-serine, although other amino acids were not changed. In the present study, it was concluded that the sedative action of L-serine was not due to the action of its metabolite pyruvate, or to the action of other amino acids.
Asechi
M
M
Laboratory of Advanced Animal and Marine Bioresources, Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kurauchi
I
I
Tomonaga
S
S
Yamane
H
H
Suenaga
R
R
Tsuneyoshi
Y
Y
Denbow
D M
DM
Furuse
M
M
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002645:Chickens; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D019289:Pyruvic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000596:Amino Acids; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D019289:Pyruvic Acid; D005947:Glucose