PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF INTRACEREBRALLY ADMINISTERED POLYAMINES IN MICE

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Abstract
Pharmacological actions of spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) in mice given these polyamines by intracerebral (i.c.) injection were investigated. The spontaneous motor activity (SMA) assessed by the photocell counter method did not change immediately following injection of 80 .mu.g SPD but was enhanced 24 h after the injection of 40 or 80 .mu.g. A significant decrease of SMA was not immediately evident after the administration of 40 .mu.g SPM but was demonstrated 24 h later. Mice given single doses of 20 .mu.g SPD exhibited increase in weight gain and those given 40 .mu.g showed no significant difference whereas a conspicuous decrease in weight occurred in mice given 80 .mu.g of SPD. The body weights of mice given single doses of 10 .mu.g SPM remained much the same while significant weight losses occurred in both the SPM 20 .mu.g and 40 .mu.g dosed groups. There was a significant prolongation of pentobarbital induced sleep 6 days after the injection of high doses of SPD or SPM. Similar prolongation of sleeping time was also evident 30 min after the SPM injection. A maximal hypothermic response with a fall by about 1.degree. C was observed immediately following injection of 80 .mu.g of SPD and 24 h after the injection of 40 .mu.g SPM, respectively.