Neuropharmacology of delta-aminolaevulinic acid. II. Effect of chronic administration in mice

Abstract

delta-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is suspected of being responsible for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of acute porphyria. The object of this study was to examine the effects of continuous administration of ALA in vivo on behaviour known to be affected in acute porphyria. ALA was administered to mice via minipumps implanted subcutaneously. Mean urinary excretion of ALA over the ensuing 7 days was approximately 80 mumol/kg b. wt./day. No significant effects on locomotor activity, motor co-ordination and grip and noci-perception were noted. These results do not support the hypothesis that chronic exposure of animals to ALA may produce a porphyria-like syndrome.