Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 85 (1), 92-94 (2001)


The Role of Nitrergic System in Lidocaine-Induced Convulsion in the Mouse

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


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