Anti-stress activity of N-phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid in rats

The effect of immobilization restraint stress (RS) on some biochemical and biophysical parameters in rats and their modulation by N-phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P.GABA) was studied. RS did not affect the levels of serum Ca2+, inorganic phosphate, bilirubin, total protein, but caused insignificant increase of albumin level and significantly decreased the cholesterol level. This RS induced decrease of serum cholesterol level was reversed by prior treatment with P.GABA, while the albumin content showed a decrease. RS-induced a generalised increase in serum enzyme activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phsophatase (AIP), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT). P.GABA normalised RS-induced increase of LDH and AlP activity, but it further enhanced SGOT and SGPT activities. In synaptosomal membranes, RS caused a decrease in clusterization and fluidity, but the thickness of the membrane increased as studied by fluorescence probes. Prior administration of P.GABA normalised the changes observed in the synaptic membrane.