Ouabain-Induced Seizures in Rats: Suppressive Effects of Taurine and γ-Aminobutyric acid

Abstract

Investigations on the effects of taurine and of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) against ouabain-induced seizures in rats were conducted. Administration of taurine into the left lateral ventricle 10 min prior to ouabain showed a dose-dependent suppressive effect against the seizures induced by 5 μg of ouabain. All injection volumes were 50 μl. All of the animals receiving 9.5 × 10⁻² M of taurine were completely protected from the seizure activity. The median effective dose (ED₅₀) of taurine for protection against generalized clonic–tonic seizures was 2.8 × 10⁻² M. Administration of GABA (9.5 × 10⁻¹ M) under similar experimental conditions was only partially effective. A higher concentration of GABA (1.9 × 10⁻¹ M) was required to completely abolish the seizure activity induced by the same ouabain injection (5 μg).