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INCORPORATION OF γ‐AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) IN THE BRAIN AND INTERNAL ORGANS OF MICE
Author(s) -
Mori Akitane,
Kosaka Mutsutoshi
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1819.1961.tb00637.x
Subject(s) - cerebrum , pharmacology , cats , mechanism (biology) , medicine , neuroscience , central nervous system , biology , philosophy , epistemology
Takahashi and others 1) have confirmed the experimental fact that y‐amino‐butyric acid is effective in reducing the blood pressure through the central nervous innervation, and they advocate clinical application of GABA for the cases of essential hypertension 2) 3) . Shimizu 6) , Yamamura 7) , Ishida 11) and Kuraia 1) applied it for the cases of mental weakness (debility). Recently Tower n > has administered GABA to epileptic patients. On the other hand, according to van Gelder and Elliott 12), who worked on GABA, found a considerable amount of it may be administered to rats and cats either orally or intraperitoneally without affecting its content in the brain. It is, therefore, possible to assume that GABA does not easily migrate to brains. The authors have conducted the experimental studies by the use of C 14 ‐GABA and a few other analogues and by administering it to mice intravenously with the purpose to find out the migration routes of the substance into various internal organs and the consequent variations of GABA contents in the brains following its administration. The results of the study are in this communication. Summary The authors have undertaken the biochemical and physiological studies of GABA, especially regarding its migrative characteristics into various organs of the mice following the intravenous administration. Work was also carried out with a view to contributing some additional data which may be of value in further elucidation of GABA mechanism in the brain of the mouse. In this connection GABA and its derivatives were intravenously administered, and GABA retention in the cerebrum was quantitatvely determined with a view to find its fluctuations if any. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Evidently the highest concentration of C 14 ‐GABA was found in the liver immediately after the intravenous administration. Kidneys and adrenals were found in the second place in order in retention of GABA under the same experimental conditions. Only minimal deposit of the compound was detected in cerebrum and cerebellum. 2. Incorporation of C 14 ‐GABA in the tissue of various internal organs was found to occur in a transient phase, and the major part of it disappeared rapidly after a short period of time from tissues. 3. Intravenous administration of GABA and N‐acetyl‐GABA was ineffective in changing the GABA contents of the brain, whereas methyl‐ and ethylester of GABA were found effective in increasing the GABA contents of the brain though transiently in a small amount.