γ-Aminobutyric Acid Metabolism and Behavioral Effects After Intraventricular Injection of Spermine in Chicks |
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| Authors: | R M Di Giorgio G De Luca G Nisticò R Ientile |
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| Institution: | Institute of Biochemistry, University of Messina, Catanzaro, Italy;Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Catanzaro, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Effects of intraventricularly injected spermine on behavior and electrocortical activity and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism after a single dose of 1.13 mumol/animal were studied. Decrease in locomotor activity, sedation or sleep, and electrocortical synchronization that lasted approximately 2 h were observed. In addition spermine caused a significant increase in GABA content in diencephalon and brainstem, 30 min after administration. Concomitantly a significant increase of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity was observed in cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, and brainstem. Reduction in gamma-aminobutyrate: alpha-oxoglutarate amino-transferase (GABA-T) levels occurred in the diencephalon along with a significant increase of GABA-T in the brainstem. The present results demonstrate that spermine has the capacity to affect GABA metabolism and are in favor of the suggestion that endogenous polyamines may modulate GABAergic mechanisms. |
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| Keywords: | Spermine GABA metabolism Behavior |
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