Skip to main content
Log in

Toxic effects of putrescine in rat brain: Polyamines can be involved in the action of excitotoxins

  • Published:
Amino Acids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

After treatment with putrescine (PUT) 200 mg/kg, i.p., male rats displayed a behavioural pattern that included wet dog shakes and motor inco-ordination. The concentration of PUT in the brain paralleled the severity of clinical signs. Histological examination showed the presence of perivascular edema and moderate spongiosis. These biochemical and histological features were present 2 h after treatment. At 24 h PUT levels in frontal cortex decreased but the histological status of brain tissue remained. Pretreatment with hyperosmolal glycerol did not modify the effect of PUT on the brain content of polyamine or the histological condition at 2 h. These results support a neurotoxic role for putrescine. Such effects were similar to those of kainic acid at convulsant doses, suggesting a role for putrescine in the action of this excitotoxin.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Desiderio MA, Davalli P, Perin A (1987) J Cromatogr 419: 285–290

    Google Scholar 

  • de Vera N, Artigas F, Serratosa J, Martínez E (1991) J Neurochem 57: 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Dienel GA, Cruz NF (1984) J Neurochem 42: 1053–1061

    Google Scholar 

  • Genedani S, Bernardi M, Tagliavini S, Botticelli A, Bertolini A (1987) Pharmacol Toxicol 61: 224–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilad MG, Gilad VH (1983) Brain Res 273: 191–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilad MG, Gilad VH (1991) Exp Neurol 111: 349–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig H, Goldstone AD, Lu Ch-Y (1989) Brain Res 483: 110–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig H, Goldstone AD, Lu Ch-Y, Trout JJ (1990) Stroke 21 [Suppl III]: III-98–III-102

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez E, de Vera N, Artigas F (1991) Life Sci 48: 77–84

    Google Scholar 

  • McGurk JF, Bennett MVL, Zukin RS (1990) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87: 19971–19974

    Google Scholar 

  • Meldrum B, Garwhaite J (1990) Trends Pharmacol Sci 11: 379–387

    Google Scholar 

  • Paschen W, Hallmayer J, Rhon G (1988) Neurochem Pathol 8: 27–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Ransom RW, Stec NL (1988) J Neurochem 51: 830–836

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed LJ, de Belleroche J (1990) J Neurochem 55: 780–787

    Google Scholar 

  • Seiler N (1990) Digestion 46 [Suppl 2]: 319–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Shin WW, Fong WF, Pang SF, Wong PC-L (1985) J Neurochem 44: 1056–1059

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabor CW, Tabor H (1984) Ann Rev Biochem 53: 749–790

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams K, Romano C, Dichter MA, Molinoff PB (1991) Life Sci 48: 469–498

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Vera, N., Serratosa, J., Artigas, F. et al. Toxic effects of putrescine in rat brain: Polyamines can be involved in the action of excitotoxins. Amino Acids 3, 261–269 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00806001

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00806001

Keywords

Navigation