Evaluation of the mechanisms by which gamma-aminobutyric acid in association with phosphatidylserine exerts an antiepileptic effect in the rat

• Published in: Neurochemical research 1992-12, Vol.17 (12), p.1229-1233
• Main Authors: Benassi, E, Besio, G, Cupello, A, Mainardi, P, Patrone, A, Rapallino, M V, Vignolo, L, Loeb, C W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0364-3190
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00968405

The i.p. injection in rats of GABA after sonication with an equal amount of phosphatidylserine (PS) has an antiepileptic effect. The injection of plain GABA has no such an effect. In the case of GABA/PS injection there is a higher passage of the exogenous labeled neurotransmitter into the blood and brain nerve endings (synaptosomes). A higher synaptosomal accumulation of the exogenous labeled neurotransmitter is found even when GABA and PS are injected separately. Since these accumulation increases occur at a time when there is the antiepileptic effect, they seem relevant to it. Our interpretation of the chain of the events resulting in the antiepileptic action is that the phospholipid facilitates from the beginning the first passage of the exogenous neurotransmitter from the peritoneum to the blood.