[The action of 3-indolepyruvate in quinolinate-induced convulsions in mice]

The experiments on 286 mice of two lines (SHR and C57BL/6) showed that 3-indoipyruvate, a natural keto analogue of tryptophan and a precursor of serotonin and kynurenic acid) possesses the selective dose-dependent (100-500 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) protective effect against quinolinate-induced convulsions. At prolonged administration (50-100 mg/kg for 10 days twice a day) its efficiency drastically increased. It is supposed that the mechanism of the anticonvulsant action of 3-indolpyruvate involves an enhancement of synthesis of kynurenic acid, a blocker of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and at chronic administration--also an increase of sensitivity and density of these receptors.