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Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry logoLink to Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry
. 2005 Jan;20(1):56–60. doi: 10.1007/BF02893043

Picrotoxin-induced convulsions and lysosomal function in the rat brain

Munjal M Acharya 1,✉, Surbhi H Khamesra 1, Surendra S Katyare 1
PMCID: PMC3454155  PMID: 23105495

Abstract

The effect of picrotoxin-induced convulsions on lysosomal function in rat brain were evaluated by measuring the free as well as total acid phosphatase, cathepsin D, acid ribonuclease (RNAse II) and acid deoxyribonuclease (DNAse II) activities. Following picrotoxin treatment the free RNAse II activity increased whereas the total activities of practically all the other enzymes decreased. Paradoxically, the cathepsin D activity, free as well the total was completely abolished. In case of all the enzymes the ratio of Total activity/Free activity decreased indicating increased lysosomal membrane fragility which could lead to process of neurodegeneration in the epileptic animals.

Keywords: Picrotoxin, Convulsions, Epilepsy, Lysosomal function, Lysosomal enzymes

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