Effect of modulators of the polyamine site on the development of seizures induced by systemic and intracerebral administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate in albino mice.

Systemic intraperitoneal administration of polyamine agonist IEM-1460 containing the Me3N(+) group with a stable positive charge preventing permeation of this substance through the blood-brain barrier and polyamine antagonist arcaine had no effect on the development of seizures caused by intracerebral injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of IEM-40 potentiated, while arcaine decreased the severity of seizures induced by intraperitoneal treatment with N-methyl-D-aspartate. This effect was related to modulation of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier for N-methyl-D-aspartate probably due to modulating effects of IEM-40 and arcaine on the polyamine site of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the blood-brain barrier.