Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) has been proposed for the treatment of
seizures of different etiologies. The present study investigated the effect of
MgCl2 on
aldrin-induced
seizures. Initially, 50 male rats received 60 mg
aldrin/kg po and the effects were classified as muscular twitches, clonic convulsions or
tonic-clonic convulsions. Another group of 40 rats dosed with 60 mg
aldrin/kg po received 0, 4, 8, or 12 mg
MgCl2/kg i.m. The percentage of tonic-clonic
convulsant rats that resulted from
MgCl2 treatment were 90% at 0 mg/kg, 50% at 4 mg/kg, 40% at 8 mg/kg and 20% at 12 mg
MgCl2/kg. The percentage of survivors in the group receiving 12 mg
MgCl2/kg was 80% while the control group had 20% survival. The clonic convulsions were not modified by
MgCl2 treatment. Blood and brain concentrations of
aldrin and
dieldrin (metabolite of
aldrin) did not differ among groups. The
MgCl2 administration decreased the neuroexcitability induced by
aldrin and increased survivability.