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THE INFLUENCE OF TYROSINE, PHENYLPYRUVATE AND VITAMIN B 6 UPON SEIZURE THRESHOLDS 1
Author(s) -
Gallagher B. B.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1971.tb12009.x
Subject(s) - phenylalanine , tyrosine , pyridoxine , endocrinology , chemistry , medicine , pyridoxal phosphate , convulsant , seizure threshold , pyridoxal , epilepsy , vitamin , biochemistry , phosphate , amino acid , anticonvulsant , receptor , cofactor , psychiatry , enzyme
— Thresholds to the first appearance of a myoclonic jerk and to the appearance of tonic‐clonic seizures induced by the convulsant, hexafiuorodiethyl ether, were examined in immature rats at sequential time intervals following the administration of L‐tyrosine, L‐phenylalanine, Na‐phenylpyruvate and several forms of vitamin B 6 . l ‐Tyrosine failed to lower either seizure threshold even though plasma and brain levels of tyrosine exceeded those obtained with a dose of phenylalanine that was effective in lowering threshold. Na‐phenylpyruvate lowered both seizure thresholds at a time that correlated with elevation of brain phenylalanine. Pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate and pyridoxamine phosphate all lowered both seizure thresholds. The time course and dose dependency of the effects of B 6 vitamers were examined; the effect of phenylalanine on seizure threshold was unrelated to derived tyrosine or phenylpyruvate and vitamin B 6 was not involved. The enhanced cerebral excitability following administration of B 6 vitamers is discussed.