Effect of lindane on synaptosomal Na+/K+-ATPase in relation to its subcellular distribution in the brain

Mouse brain synaptosomal Na+/K+-ATPase was inhibited by 23%, 18 hrs after a single intraperitoneal dose of 40 mg lindane (dissolved in olive oil) per kg. The inhibition was of a non-competitive type with respect to ATP. Pretreatment with lindane also potentiated the inhibitory effect of ethanol on this enzyme. It is suggested to consider this interaction at the synaptosomal level when evaluating the anaesthetic effect of ethanol in contaminated persons. Although the synaptosomal Na+/K+-ATPase was inhibited after pretreatment with lindane in vivo, neither lindane nor its metabolites were present in the synaptosomal fraction when determining the subcellular distribution of U-[14C]-lindane in the brain. These results raise some questions regarding the current opinion that lindane exerts some of its central effects through binding to the synaptosomal membrane.