Carnosine (beta-alanyl-
l-histidine) has been characterized as a putative
neurotransmitter. However, so far, understanding of the role of
carnosine in the brain is very limited. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of
carnosine on the development of
pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling
seizures and protection against the PTZ kindled
seizures in rats. Chemical kindling was elicited by repeated
intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (35 mg/kg) once every 48 h until the occurrence of Stage 4-5
seizures, and the seizure activity of kindling was recorded for 30 min. In an acute PTZ challenge study, 60 mg/kg PTZ was used to induce kindled seizure. Injection of
carnosine (200, 500 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased seizure stage, and prolonged the latencies for
myoclonic jerks, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the seizure development process, 500 mg/kg
carnosine also significantly delayed the onset of PTZ kindled
seizures. In addition,
carnosine significantly reversed decreased
histamine levels induced by PTZ kindled seizure in the hippocampus. These results indicate that
carnosine can protect against PTZ-induced
seizures in both the development of kindling and the challenge process in rats. The results suggest that
carnosine might be an endogenous
anticonvulsant factor in the brain and can be used as a new
antiepileptic drug in future.