ANTISEIZURE ACTIVITY OF INSULIN - INSULIN INHIBITS PENTYLENETETRAZOLE, PENICILLIN AND KAINIC ACID-INDUCED SEIZURES IN RATS

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiseizure activity spectrum of insulin against various behavioral seizure models in rats. Insulin was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a test dose of 1 U/k g. Dextrose (3 g/kg) was administered simultaneously with insulin to c ounteract its hypoglycemic effect and induce a normoglycemic state. In sulin was found to significantly decrease the incidence, intensity and mortality rate and prolong the latency of generalized tonic-clonic co nvulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (60 mg/kg i.p.) and significan tly decrease the intensity and mortality rate and prolong the latency of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions induced by penicillin (2000 U/ intracerebrocoaical). Insulin was not only found to prolong the latenc y of all the seizure components but was found to reduce the incidence of focal myoclonic twitches and generalized tonic-clonic convulsions i nduced by kainic acid (12 mg/kg i.p.) as well. Insulin was shown to be ineffective to suppress ouabain (5 mu g/intracerebroventricular) indu ced seizures. These findings indicate that insulin possesses a broad s pectrum of antiseizure activity in rats. Interaction with brain Na+-K-ATPase has been discussed as a possible mechanism of action.