[Neuropeptide thyroliberin--an endogenous anticonvulsant in the brain]

Abstract

Thyroliberin (TRH) promoting endogenous antidepressive effect is the most general regulator of the central mechanisms and visceral functions (especially respiration). Our group pioneered in applying the anticonvulsant action of TRH after local intranasal application. This application TRH in ultra-low doses contrast the method of systemic TRH administration (i.v., i.m. or oral in the large doses--mg). In our experiments intranasal application of 10(-9) M, 10(-10) M and 10(-12) M TRH significantly inhibited the severe epileptic motor fits in rats induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Beneficent effect of TRH is also confirmed by EEG (TRH suppressed SWD in cortex, amygdala and hippocamp). In the experiment that follows compared effects of TRH (pyroGlu-His-Pro-NH2) and its metabolite dipeptide cHis-Pro-NH2 (10(-10) M, 10(-5) M). The experiments make more precise that only TRH but not His-Pro posses the anticonvulsant properties. There is a good believe that medical potentialities of TRH have not been exhausted and its new possibilities of its usage will be revealed in epileptology.