The antidyskinetic action of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in the rodent.

The antidyskinetic action of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHLA) was assessed against dyskinesias induced in the guinea-pig by dopamine injected into the striatum (200 micrograms bilateral 2 h after nialamide, 75 mg kg-1, i.p.) and in the guinea-pig and rat by 2-di-n-propylamino-5, 6-dihydroxytetralin (tetralin), 0.025 mg kg-1, s.c. Dopamine and tetralin-induced dyskinesias in the guinea-pig were reduced or abolished by DHLA given i.p., 30-100 mg kg-1, given once daily for 5-10 days. Tetralin-induced dyskinesias were antagonized by DHLA given orally to the guinea-pig (50-200 mg kg-1, 5 days) or in the diet to the rat (approximately 200 mg kg-1 daily for 10-14 days). DHLA injected into the striatum (2.5-20 micrograms bilateral, 2-4 days) also antagonized tetralin-induced dyskinesias in the rat. The antidyskinetic action of DHLA given i.p. to the guinea-pig could be antagonized by aspirin or eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid (100 mg kg-1 i.p. daily, starting 2 days before a 5 day treatment with DHLA). Aspirin (25-100 mg kg-1, i.p.) dose-dependently antagonized the antidyskinetic activity of 5 and 20 micrograms DHLA given bilaterally into the striatum (2 days). DHLA (100 mg kg-1 i.p.) given daily for 10 days or approximately 200 mg kg-1 DHLA (daily for 10-14 days given in the diet) administration to the rat failed to modify the stereotyped behaviour induced by apomorphine, 0.5 or 2 mg kg-1 s.c., to induce catalepsy, or to modify the cataleptic effects of haloperidol 0.25 or 1 mg kg-1 i.p. 7 It is suggested that the selective inhibition of dyskinesias in the rodent by DHLA may reflect a striatal effect with a dependency on conversion to prostaglandins.