The effects of the purinergic system on digitalis-induced epileptiform activity


Kesim Y., Marangoz C., Ayyıldız M., Tasci N., Agar E., Sahinoglu H.

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, vol.5, no.2, pp.167-178, 1994 (Scopus) identifier identifier

Abstract

It has been suggested that endogenous chemical substances, such as adenosine, released during a seizure attack, may act as anticonvulsants in vivo. We have investigated electrophysiologically the effects of purinoceptor agonists and antagonists on the epileptiform activity induced by intracortical digitalis in anesthetized rats. Intracortical injections of 1, 2, or 4 μg digitalis (desacetyl lanatocid C) caused an epileptiform electrocorticogram (ECoG). The application of adenosine (25 or 100 μM) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (3 mM) after desacetyl lanatocid C blocked the epileptiform activity. β,γ-Methylene ATP (0.1-0.8 mM), a stable analog of ATP, produced inhibition and then death. The epileptogenic effect of desacetyl lanatocid C was enhanced by theophylline (1 mM); however, suramin (1 mM) changed the pattern of epilepsy. These results indicate that the purinergic system may be involved in the mechanism of action of digitalis glycosides. © 1994 Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.