Nitric oxide promotes seizure activity in kainate-treated rats

Neuroreport. 1994 Nov 21;5(17):2325-8. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199411000-00029.

Abstract

L-Arginine-derived nitrogen monoxide (NO) formation was determined in different regions of the rat brain during kainate-induced seizures. NO was trapped in vivo as a paramagnetic mononitrosyl-iron diethyldithiocarbamate complex, the concentration of which was determined ex vivo by cryogenic electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Basal NO formation (0.3-0.8 nmol g-1 tissue 30 min-1) was detected in the brain of control rats. In kainate-injected rats NO formation was increased six-fold within 30-60 min in the amygdala/temporal cortex region, and up to 12-fold, though more slowly, in the remaining cortex. The kainate-elicited convulsions and NO formation were attenuated in animals pretreated with either 7-nitroindazole, a specific inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase, or diazepam. These findings identify NO as a proconvulsant mediator in kainate-evoked seizures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Animals
  • Diazepam / metabolism
  • Diazepam / pharmacology
  • Ditiocarb / pharmacology
  • Indazoles / pharmacology
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Kainic Acid*
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Seizures / chemically induced*
  • Seizures / metabolism*
  • Seizures / physiopathology

Substances

  • Indazoles
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ditiocarb
  • Iron
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Amino Acid Oxidoreductases
  • Diazepam
  • Kainic Acid
  • 7-nitroindazole