Studies on prostaglandin F2 alpha formation caused by pentametylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in rat brain.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha formation caused by pentametylenetetrazol convulsions was studied as a function of the duration, the doses of the convulsant and the intensity of the seizures. It was shown by the statistical analysis of the results in the case of clonic convulsions that the amount of synthetized PGF2 alpha did not depend on the doses of convulsant, while close relation existed between the duration and the PGF2 alpha production. At the same time, during tonic convulsions lasting longer than 50 sec, no more increase in the PGF2 alpha content of the brain was observed. An experimental model is suggested to study in vivo the mechanisms regulating the brain's prostaglandin biosynthesis. Pretreatment of the animals with reserpine did not affect the rate of convulsion-induced PGF2 alpha-formation.