Effect of succinic semialdehyde on seizure caused by vitamin B6 antagonists

Since gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is known to be an effective anesthetic adjuvant in animal and a natural metabolite of succinic semialdehyde (SSA), the effect of SSA and GHB on the convulsive action of vitamin B6 antagonists was studied using the onset of seizure as a parameter. The administration of SSA and GHB to mice protected them against the convulsive action of B6 antagonist, such as castrix (2-chloro-4-dimethyl-6-methylpyrimidine), thiosemicarbazide, or penicillamine. The anticonvulsant effect of SSA seems to be due to an increase in brain levels of GHB converted in vivo from SSA.