Changes in polyamine levels in rat brain after systemic kainic acid administration: relationship to convulsant activity and brain damage

Abstract

We have examined the effects of systemic kainic acid (KA) administration (9 mg/kg, i.p.) on rat behavior, brain damage, and polyamine levels and the action of the specific ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on these effects. KA elicited convulsant activity in 63% of the animals. In the acute convulsant phase (1–3 h after KA), a rapid decline (−39% at 3 h) of spermidine content in frontal cortex was found. After the acute convulsant phase, levels of hippocampal spermidine and spermine were reduced (−70 and −66%, respectively, at 8 h). A dramatic increase of putrescine content (681, 1,382, and 336% at 8h, 24h, and 9 days, respectively, after KA) was found, associated with histological signs of cortical brain damage (ischemia and necrosis). There was a close relationship between the concentration of putrescine and signs of delayed toxicity (body weight losses) 24 h and 9 days after KA. DFMO partially antagonized the convulsant activity and reduced the increased putrescine levels to ∼50% of values in KA-treated animals at 24 h but did not change the pattern of histological damage. The role of polyamines in the early and late phases of KA-induced neurotoxicity is discussed.