[Effect of piracetam on neuronal and synaptosomal phospholipase A2 activity]

In search of the biochemical mechanism of the action of 2-oxopyrrolidine-1-acetamide (piracetam, Normabrain, Nootrop) the influence of the encephalotropic substance on the hydrolysis of different glycerophosphatides by the neuronal and synaptosomal phospholipase A2 was investigated. Pure synaptosomes and neurons were prepared by a new method. The synaptosomal and neuronal phospholipase A2 plays an important role during the process of synaptic transmission. The administration of piracetam enhanced both the neuronal and synaptosomal phospholipase A2-activity by about 50%. The piracetam-induced stimulation of the enzyme activity was in the same order of magnitude for all substrates investigated. Thus piracetam stimulates the synaptic transmission. The stimulation of the phospholipase A2-activity by piracetam appears to be mediated by a neurotransmitter.