Melatonin increases in vivo GABA accumulation in rat hypothalamus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex and pineal gland

Brain Res. 1986 Nov 29;398(2):403-6. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(86)91505-2.

Abstract

The effect of melatonin on in vivo gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation in several brain regions was determined by measuring the increase of GABA levels following inhibition of GABA transaminase. A single melatonin injection (25-300 micrograms/kg) augmented significantly, by 17-20%, GABA accumulation in the hypothalamus and caused a dose-dependent increase of this parameter in the pineal gland. Significant rises of GABA accumulation were found in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex after administering 100-300 and 300 micrograms/kg of melatonin, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Alkynes
  • Aminocaproates / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Cerebellum / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism
  • Male
  • Melatonin / pharmacology*
  • Pineal Gland / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Aminocaproates
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • 4-amino-5-hexynoic acid
  • 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase
  • Melatonin