AMPA/kainate-related mechanisms contribute to convulsant and proconvulsant effects of 3-nitropropionic acid

The role of the glutamatergic system in the convulsant and proconvulsant action of a mitochondrial toxin, 3-nitropropionic acid, was studied in mice. The occurrence of 3-nitropropionic acid-induced seizures was inhibited by the -amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA)/kainate receptor antagonists, 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione disodium (NBQX) and 1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine HCl (GYKI 52466), with ED₅₀ of 14.1 (7.9–25.2) and 7.2 (5.3–9.6) mg/kg, respectively. The N-methyl--aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, dizocilpine (MK-801) and 3-(2-carboxypiperazine-4-yl)propenyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPPene), were ineffective. Moreover, 3-nitropropionic acid given in a subthreshold dose potently enhanced seizures generated by intracerebroventricular administration of AMPA and kainate, lowering their CD₅₀ from 0.98 (0.83–1.17) and 0.73 (0.64–0.83) to 0.55 (0.45–0.66) (P<0.001) and 0.58 (0.51–0.65) (P<0.05) nmol, respectively. In contrast, NMDA action was not changed by 3-nitropropionic acid application. We conclude that AMPA/kainate-mediated events are involved in proconvulsive and convulsive effects of 3-nitropropionic acid.