Abstract
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) is the main inhibitor neurotransmitter of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Its peripheral administration has been matter of discussion. On the one hand, it has been reported that it does not cross the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), and, on the other hand, it has been associated with multiple therapeutic regimens and supplements by peripheral administration. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the possibility of a central sedative effect when administered peripherally. An experimental cohort of 90-day-old Holtzman male rats weighing 240-270 g was used. It was divided into 2 groups: saline-controls (n = 9) and GABA treated rats (12.5 mg/kg, n = 9). Both groups were intraperitoneally injected. The motor behavioral patterns displayed in the Opto Varimex (OVM) were studied. Vertical, horizontal, ambulatory and non-ambulatory movements and the number of movements were recorded in an automated way. Horizontal movements constitute the integration of ambulatory and non-ambulatory movements. Student t test was used comparing groups. In this experiment, there were non-significant downward trends in vertical, ambulatory, non-ambulatory and number of movements. Ambulatory and non-ambulatory tendencies acquired significance when treated together as horizontal movements (p < 0.05). We may conclude that peripheral administration of GABA produced a decrease of the horizontal movements in the open field test. It may be interpreted as a sedative effect, suggesting a passage of GABA through BBB, with central effects. However, there are several alternative possibilities to explain present findings. Other experiments will elucidate the implications or scope of the present findings.
Highlights
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) is the main inhibitor neurotransmitter of the central nervous system (CNS)
There are GABA receptors distributed throughout the body, and its role has been proposed in hepatic encephalopathy (Jones et al, 1984)
It has been reported that it does not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and, on the other hand, it has been associated with multiple therapeutic regimens and supplements by peripheral administration (Mesones and Cia, 1985; Halson, 2014)
Summary
Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) is the main inhibitor neurotransmitter of the central nervous system (CNS). It comes from the action of glutamate decarboxylase on glutamate. Various forms of this enzyme have been described (see Waagepetersent al., 1999). The fact that various drugs use its receptor has given it relevant clinical importance. This is the case of benzodiazepines and barbiturates, among many others. There are GABA receptors distributed throughout the body, and its role has been proposed in hepatic encephalopathy (Jones et al, 1984)
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