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Sodium 4-hydroxybutyrate

1964; Pergamon Press; Volume: 3; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0028-3908(64)90074-7

1878-1713

H Laborit,

Epilepsy research and treatment

The author presents a general review of the pharmacology of sodium 4-hydroxybutyrate, the principal elements of which are: (a) very low toxicity, and metabolic application; (b) the hypnotic activity, which does not cause a decrease in the intensity of oxidative processes; (c) the potentiating action on anaesthetics and neuroplegics, and the antagonizing action against (d) the absence of ventilatory depression; (e) the facilitating action on hypothermia. The EEG study and the stereotaxic study of the cerebral evoked potentials, as well as the cardiovascular and antishock activity are described. The author insists on the strong potassium and cholesterol lowering effects of the drug, and on its protein sparing action. The mechanism of action is discussed. Numerous data permit to assume that this mechanism is essentially characterized by an activation of the pentose pathway. Finally, a brief summary is presented of its applications in anaesthesiology, obstetrics, psychiatry and in internal medicine.