Abstract
Summary
The convulsant potency of intravenously administered Metrazol for maximal and minimal seizures was determined in control, liver-damaged, and nephrectomized mice. In addition, the convulsant potency of subcutaneously administered Metrazol for minimal seizures was determined in control, liver-damaged, nephrectomized, and sham-operated mice and rats. The results obtained were analyzed to determine the relative importance of the liver and the kidney in the fate and excretion of the drug. Neither liver damage nor nephrectomy had any significant effect on the potency of intravenously administered Metrazol for maximal or minimal seizures. Liver damage significantly increased the potency of subcutaneously administered Metrazol for minimal seizures; on the other hand, bilateral nephrectomy and sham operation had no significant effect on the potency of this drug. The data indicate that, in both mice and rats, the liver is the principal organ for the conversion of Metrazol into products devoid of convulsant activity, and that, within the time required for the complete absorption of subcutaneously injected Metrazol, the kidney plays no important role in the metabolic alteration or excretion of this compound.
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