Higher susceptibility of taurine-deficient rats to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine.

The susceptibility of rats made deficient of taurine by treatment with guanidinoethane sulfonate (GES), to seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine was examined. Guanidinoethane sulfonate, at a concentration of 1% was administered to pregnant rats, in the drinking water 2-3 days prior to delivery and the treatment was continued during nursing. Pups were weaned to the same treatment until 6 weeks of age. This treatment decreased levels of taurine in the cerebral cortex by 70%. 4-Aminopyridine was injected intraperitoneally at doses ranging from 4-7 mg/kg. Taurine-deficient rats showed a greater susceptibility to seizures, as demonstrated by a lowered latency for clonic seizures, an increased incidence of tonic seizures and a higher postseizure mortality. These results suggest an involvement of endogenous taurine in nervous excitability.