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A role for guanidino compounds in the brain

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Abstract

Guanidino compounds of guanidinoethanesulfonic acid, guanidinoacetic acid, guanidinosuccinic acid, N-acetylarginine, β-guanidinopropionic acid, creatinine, γ-guanidinobutyric acid, arginine, guanidine, methylguanidine, homoarginine and α-guanidinoglutaric acid are present in the mammalian brain. These guanidino compounds except for arginine and guanidine induce seizures and convulsions in rat, rabbit and cat by intracisternal injection.

Hirudonine, audonine, α-keto-δ-guanidinovaleric acid, N,N′-dibenzoylguanidine and phenylethylguanidine are also convulsants. Levels of creatinine, guanidinoethanesulfonic acid, creatinine, guanidinoacetic acid and methylguanidine in animal brain were changed at pre- and during convulsions induced by pentylentetrazol, amygdala kindling, iron-induced epileptogenesis and so on. These convulsions are thought to be due to depressed functions of serotonergic neurons and accumulated free radicals.

Arginine is a substrate of nitric oxide production by nitric oxide synthase. α-Guanidinoglutaric acid is a generator of superoxide, hydroxyl radicals and nitric oxide, and induced C6 glial cell death. On the other hand, aminoguanidine is a free radical scavenger. Energy formation by creatine metabolism may inhibit apoptosis induced by pathogenesis. Free radical generation/reaction and energy generation by guanidino compounds must be important key role in the brain.

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  1. Tohoku University of Community Service and Science, 3-5-1 Iimoriyama, Sakata, Yamagata, 998-8580, Japan

    Midori Hiramatsu

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Hiramatsu, M. A role for guanidino compounds in the brain. Mol Cell Biochem 244, 57–62 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022491419813

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