Antiseizure activity of insulin: Insulin inhibits pentylenetetrazole, penicillin and kainic acid-induced seizures in rats
EPILEPSY RESEARCH, vol.25, no.3, pp.185-190, 1996 (SCI-Expanded)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 25 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 1996
- Doi Number: 10.1016/s0920-1211(96)00078-2
- Journal Name: EPILEPSY RESEARCH
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.185-190
- Keywords: insulin, seizure, pentylenetetrazole, penicillin, kainic acid, ouabain, rat, BRAIN, TRANSPORT, RECEPTORS
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: No
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiseizure activity spectrum of insulin against various behavioral seizure models in rats. Insulin was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a test dose of 1 U/kg. Dextrose (3 g/kg) was administered simultaneously with insulin to counteract its hypoglycemic effect and induce a normoglycemic state. Insulin was found to significantly decrease the incidence, intensity and mortality rate and prolong the latency of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (60 mg/kg i.p.) and significantly decrease the intensity and mortality rate and prolong the latency of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions induced by penicillin (2000 U/intracerebrocoaical). Insulin was not only found to prolong the latency of all the seizure components but was found to reduce the incidence of focal myoclonic twitches and generalized tonic-clonic convulsions induced by kainic acid (12 mg/kg i.p.) as well. Insulin was shown to be ineffective to suppress ouabain (5 mu g/intracerebroventricular) induced seizures. These findings indicate that insulin possesses a broad spectrum of antiseizure activity in rats. Interaction with brain Na+-K+-ATPase has been discussed as a possible mechanism of action.