Mehmet Kurt*, S. Sirri Bilge, Osman Kukula, Yuksel Kesim and Suleyman
Celik
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University,
Samsun, Turkey 55139
*Corresponding author. FAX: +90-362-4576041
E-mail: mehmet.kurt@turkport.com
Abstract: The effects of N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)
a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor and L-arginine,
a NO precursor, were investigated on lidocaine-induced convulsions. In the
first experiment, four groups of mice received physiological saline (0.9%),
L-arginine (300 mg/kg, i.p.), L-NAME
(100 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (2 mg/kg), respectively. Thirty minutes after
these injections, all mice received lidocaine (50 mg/kg, i.p.). In the second
experiment, four groups of mice received similar treatment in the first
experiment, and 30 min after these injections, all mice received a higher
dose of lidocaine (80 mg/kg). L-NAME (100 mg/kg, i.p.)
and diazepam (2 mg/kg) significantly decreased the incidence of lidocaine
(50 mg/kg)-induced convulsions. In contrast, the L-arginine
treatment increased the incidence of lidocaine (80 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced
convulsions significantly. These results may suggest that NO is a proconvulsant
mediator in lidocaine-induced convulsions.
Keywords: Lidocaine, Convulsions, N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl
ester, L-arginine