[Protective effect of 2-aminobenzimidazole during hyperbaric oxygenation and the state of cerebral nitrogen metabolism]

The protective effect of 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-ABI) was studied on white rats exposed to oxygen at 4 and 6 ata. During an exposure to oxygen at 6 ata injections of 2-ABI (in 1 ml saline at a dose of 5 mg per 100 g body weight) 10 min prior to the exposure delayed significantly (3 to 4 times) the time when convulsions began and assured 100% survival after the exposure (30 days). During an exposure to 4 ata (prolonged exposure) the injections did not delay convulsions but alleviated them and provided 100% survival after the exposure (30 days). Variations in the content of ammonia, glutamine, glutamic and aspartic acids and GAMA in the brain of treated and untreated animals were examined. By the beginning of convulsions the content of dicarboxylic amino acids and GABA remained unchanged in the treated animals. The level of ammonia and glutamine was not controlled by 2-ABI. After the exposure 2-ABI accelerated the return of metabolic parameters to the normal.