[Acute alterations of neurotransmitters levels in striatum of young rat after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus]

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2003 Jun;61(2B):430-3. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2003000300019. Epub 2003 Jul 28.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

High doses of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist, pilocarpine, result in behavioural changes, seizures and status epilepticus in rats. The purpose of the present work is to invetigate the striatal neurotransmissors level in young rats after status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine. Wistar rats were treated with a single dose of pilocarpine (400mg/Kg; s.c.). Controls received saline. Young animals were closed observed for behavioural changes during 1 and 24h. In these periods, the animals that developed status epilepticus and didn't survive this acute phase of seizures had the brains removed and striatal neurotransmissors level determined by HPLC. The concentration of dopamine, serotonine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid was reduced and an increase in 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylacetic acid was observed. These results suggest that cholinergic activation can interage with dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in acute phase of the convulsive process in immature striatum.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Muscarinic Agonists
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism*
  • Pilocarpine
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Status Epilepticus / chemically induced
  • Status Epilepticus / metabolism*

Substances

  • Muscarinic Agonists
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Pilocarpine
  • 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid
  • Dopamine