Antiepileptic effects of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase examined in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats.

The effects of intraperitoneal NG-methyl-L-arginine and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, specific inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, were examined on the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in rats. The incidence and latency for the onset of myoclonic jerks, clonic seizures, and tonic generalized extension were observed as specific parameters among PTZ-induced seizures. Both drugs preferentially suppressed the tonic generalized extension and prolonged the latency for the onset of each parameter, suggesting NO has a significant effect on the PTZ-induced seizure.