Lack of protection by pyridoxine or hydrazine pretreatment against monosodium L-glutamate-induced seizures.

Pretreatment of rats with hydrazine (100 mg/kg), a compound which raises brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GAGA) 175 percent in 12 hr was not able to prevent the occurrence of seizures induced by monosodium L-glutamate (MSG). Pyridoxine (50 mg/kg) the cofactor essential in the conversion of glutamate to GABA, also failed to prevent convulsions induced by parenteral MSG administration. It is concluded that the mechanism of action of MSG-induced seizures is neither by decreasing brain GABA levels or interfering with the pyridoxine cofactor.