Effects of primidone, phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide in the stimulated frog neuromuscular junction.

The effects of primidone (1.0 mM), phenobarbital (0.2 mM) and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA) (1.0 mM) on nerve-stimulated transmitter release (quantal content) were determined for extracellular Ca++ concentrations ([Ca++]0) from 0.4 to 0.8 mM at 1.0 Hz nerve stimulation frequency. At these [Ca++]0, the relationship between the log of quantal content vs. the log of [Ca++]0 is linear. Both primidone and phenobarbital increased quantal content to 171% of controls. These drugs, however, caused parallel shifts of the log-log plot of quantal content vs. [Ca++]0 to the left. Thus, drug effects were not modified by varying [Ca++]0. These drugs were also examined on frequency facilitation. During frequency facilitation, the relationship between the log of quantal content vs. nerve-stimulation frequency (0.5-8.0 Hz) is linear. Both primidone and phenobarbital caused parallel shifts of this plot to the left. These drug effects, therefore, were not modified by nerve stimulation frequency. PEMA did not affect quantal content in either series of experiments. Finally, the sciatic nerve was not stimulated and spontaneous transmitter release was measured. Under these conditions, phenobarbital increased transmitter release in high external K+ (7.5 mM) (1.8 mM Ca++, no Mg++) and in normal K+ (2.5 mM) (1.8 mM Ca++, no Mg++) to the same magnitude (130% of control) in contrast to the reported effects of primidone and PEMA. In conclusion, the effects of primidone, phenobarbital and PEMA were different in the stimulated frog neuromuscular junction.

Primidone but not phenylethylmalonamide, a major metabolite, increases nerve-evoked transmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction.

The fundamental responses of primidone and phenylethylmalonamide (PEMA), a major metabolite, were investigated electrophysiologically at the frog (Rana pipiens) neuromuscular junction. Concentrations of 0.2 to 1.,0 mM of each drug were used. Primidone significantly increased nerve-evoked transmitter release in a dose-dependent manner up to 186% of control at 1.0 mM concentration, whereas PEMA had no significant effect. In a separate set of experiments in which the sciatic nerve was not stimulated, primidone significantly increased transmitter release in high external K+ (7.5 mM) (no Mg++), but had no significant effect in normal K+ (2.5 mM (no Mg++). The effect of primidone in high K+ diminished in the presence of Mg++ or of decreased Ca++; PEMA also increased the frequency of MEPPs in high K+, but this effect was not sustained and diminished slowly to control values over a period of 50 min. In addition to its predominant presynaptic action, primidone also decreased MEPP amplitude to 79% of control compatible with the relatively small postjunctional depressant action, whereas PEMA had no effect. Propylene glycol, the solvent used for primidone, did not alter the effects of the drug. In conclusion, primidone but not PEMA has a predominant presynaptic action resulting in a dose-dependent increase in nerve-stimulated transmitter release and EPP amplitude.

Epileptiform seizures in domestic fowl. VIII. Anticonvulsant activity of primidone and its metabolites, phenobarbital and phenylethylmalonamide.

Primidone is an effective anticonvulsant against seizures induced in epileptic fowl by exposure to intermittent photic stimulation. Epileptic fowl metabolize primidone to phenobarbital. Pretreatment of epileptic fowl with SKF 525A to prevent the metabolism of primidone to phenobarbital indicated that primidone itself had anticonvulsant activity. Phenylethylmalonamide, a second metabolite of primidone, did not have anticonvulsant activity when administered at the same dose as primidone.

Study of the hepatic metabolism of primidone by improved methodology.

The metabolism of the anticonvulsant drug primidone (PRM) was studied in the isolated perfused rat liver by a radiotracer methodology that permits nearly quantitative accounting of the dose as drug and identified metabolites. 14C-PRM and its metabolites were separated by thin-layer chromotography and quantitated by liquid-scintillation counting PRM was extensively converted to known active metabolites: phenobarbital (PB), 15%, and phenylethylmalonamide, 80%, in control livers during 120 minutes. Pretreatment of rats with PB greatly accelerated the rate of PRM metabolism, pretreatment with PRM only moderately so. There was no differential induction of the two metabolism pathways. Addition of phenylethylmalonamide to the perfusate reduced the rate of PRM metabolism but addition of PB did not. It is concluded that conversion of PRM to its active metabolites may be simultaneously influenced by the processes of metabolite induction (PB) and metabolite inhibition (phenylethylmalonamide).