Milacemide effects on the temporal inter-relationship of amino acids and monoamine metabolites in rat cerebrospinal fluid.

The temporal inter-relationship of various amino acids and monoamine metabolites in rat cerebrospinal fluid was examined after acute administration of milacemide (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg i.p.), a glycine prodrug. Glycine concentrations rose linearly and dose dependently (20-190%) but were only significantly elevated at the higher milacemide dose (200 and 400 mg/kg). In animals given 400 mg/kg, glycine values were still significantly elevated 8 h later. A concomitant increase (20-25%) in serine and taurine and a decrease in alanine cerebrospinal fluid values were observed at the highest milacemide dose. Other amino acids were unaffected. While cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations were unaffected, the dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid, exhibited a linear dose-dependent reduction. However, only homovanillic acid values were significantly decreased after 400 mg/kg milacemide. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis may be useful as a first screen in ascertaining putative neurochemical changes associated with drug administration.