[The effect of 3-mercaptopropionic acid on the toxicity of GABA-lytics for mice].

The influence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) on toxicities of bicuculline and picrotoxin was evaluated in mice. It was demonstrated that 3-MPA pretreatment for 5 min increased the toxicities of bicuculline and picrotoxin by 26% and 31%, respectively. 3-MPA did not alter the binding of (3H)TBOB and (3H)GABA to synaptosomal brain membranes of intact mice. The changes in toxicity may be associated with increased binding of GABA-antagonists to their receptors due to decreased brain GABA.