Somatostatin, beta-endorphin, and prolactin levels in human cerebrospinal fluid during the gamma-vinyl-GABA treatment of patients with complex partial epilepsy.

Abstract	The anticonvulsant action of the new anticonvulsant drug gamma-vinyl-GABA (GVG) is obviously mediated by elevation of the concentration of GABA in the brain. The effect of GVG administration on other transmitter systems is not fully known in humans. We studied the possible interactions of GVG administration with peptidergic systems. Included in this study were 67 patients with complex partial epilepsy (CPS). The first CSF sample was taken before GVG administration. The second CSF sample was taken after 3 months of GVG treatment (3 g/day). Thereafter half of the responders (50% decrease in seizure frequency or clear improvement in global performance) received 3 g/day and the other half received 1.5 g/day for the next three months, after which the third CSF sample was taken. Somatostatin (SLI), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), and prolactin (PROL) levels in CSF were measured by radioimmunoassay. Total GABA (tGABA) and GVG levels in CSF were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. After 3 months of GVG treatment there was a slight increase in the beta-EP (p = 0.027, Student's paired t-test), which was not found after 6 months of GVG administration. Both SLI and PROL were stable during the study. Peptide levels were not connected to the clinical response to GVG, GVG dosage, or to tGABA levels in the CSF. In conclusion, the elevation of GABA levels in the brain during GVG treatment apparently does not induce long-term interactions with the peptidergic systems studied.
Authors	A Pitkänen, T Halonen, A Ylinen, P Riekkinen
Journal	Neuropeptides (Neuropeptides) Vol. 9 Issue 3 Pg. 185-95 (Apr 1987) ISSN: 0143-4179 [Print] Netherlands
PMID	2885776 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References	Aminocaproates Anticonvulsants Endorphins Somatostatin beta-Endorphin Prolactin Vigabatrin
Topics	Adult Aminocaproates (therapeutic use) Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use) Endorphins (cerebrospinal fluid) Epilepsy (cerebrospinal fluid, drug therapy) Humans Prolactin (cerebrospinal fluid) Radioimmunoassay Somatostatin (cerebrospinal fluid) Vigabatrin beta-Endorphin

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