Biomaterial Database

gamma-Aminobutyric acid plasma levels and brain binding in Eck fistula dogs. 1985

J S Thompson, and D F Schafer, and G J Schafer, and P E Hodgson

It has been hypothesized that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter of the mammalian brain, contributes to the neural inhibition of hepatic encephalopathy. Eck fistulae were created in seven dogs and celiotomy alone performed in five dogs to determine plasma GABA levels, brain GABA binding, and synaptic membrane changes in dogs after creation of Eck fistulae. Eck fistula dogs lost 19 +/- 9% body weight, lost hair, ate poorly, and developed atrophic livers with classic hepatic histological changes. Control dogs maintained body weight, normal behavior, and normal liver histology. Plasma GABA levels were elevated significantly in the Eck fistula dogs (312 +/- 105.9 nM) both as compared to controls (154.4 +/- 69.8) and to preoperative levels (161.6 +/- 56.7, P less than 0.05). Brain GABA binding for animals sacrificed at 6-9 weeks was not statistically different from sham-operated dogs sacrificed at 6 weeks (1.87 +/- .54 pmole/mg protein vs 1.186 +/- 24, P less than 0.2). Synaptic membrane fluidity and cholesterol were likewise unchanged. Plasma GABA levels are increased significantly following complete portal diversion but do not correlate with the degree of encephalopathy. GABA binding to neural membranes are not significantly increased in Eck fistula dogs. These findings do not support a direct relationship between plasma GABA levels and neurologic impairment in Eck fistula dogs.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011167	Portacaval Shunt, Surgical	Surgical portasystemic shunt between the portal vein and inferior vena cava.	Eck Fistula,Portacaval Anastomosis,Portacaval Shunt,Shunt, Surgical Portacaval,Surgical Portacaval Shunt,Anastomoses, Portacaval,Anastomosis, Portacaval,Fistula, Eck,Portacaval Anastomoses,Portacaval Shunts,Portacaval Shunts, Surgical,Shunt, Portacaval,Shunts, Portacaval,Shunts, Surgical Portacaval,Surgical Portacaval Shunts
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D005680	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid	The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.	4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt
D006501	Hepatic Encephalopathy	A syndrome characterized by central nervous system dysfunction in association with LIVER FAILURE, including portal-systemic shunts. Clinical features include lethargy and CONFUSION (frequently progressing to COMA); ASTERIXIS; NYSTAGMUS, PATHOLOGIC; brisk oculovestibular reflexes; decorticate and decerebrate posturing; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes (see REFLEX, BABINSKI). ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY may demonstrate triphasic waves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1117-20; Plum & Posner, Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed, p222-5)	Encephalopathy, Hepatic,Portosystemic Encephalopathy,Encephalopathy, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathy, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathy, Portosystemic,Fulminant Hepatic Failure with Cerebral Edema,Hepatic Coma,Hepatic Stupor,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy,Coma, Hepatic,Comas, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathies, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathies, Portosystemic,Encephalopathy, Portal Systemic,Hepatic Comas,Hepatic Encephalopathies,Hepatic Stupors,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathies,Portal Systemic Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathies,Portosystemic Encephalopathies,Stupor, Hepatic,Stupors, Hepatic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia