Abstract
Semi-alkaline-Protenase, Seaprose (SAP), produced by Aspergillus mellus, was investigated using human alcohol EEG and neuronal activity of various regions of rat brain was studied. SAP, administered at doses of 30 mg×3/3 days, p. o., markedly blocked alcohol-slow-wave in most test subjects. SAP administration produced no significant effect on blood pressure, body temperature, cardiac function or various biochemical tests. Among 169 neurons tested, 79 % responded to SAP microinjection (1-10 μg/0.1-1, μl) into various regions of brain; 69.8 % increased in activity and 30.2 % decreased. Among 298 neurons tested, 64.4 % responded to direct microelectro-osmotic application of SAP to various regions of the brain; 46.3% increased in activity (discharge frequency) ; whereas, only 3.7 % decreased. Most cerebral neurons and some hypothalamic neurons responded to electro-osmotic SAP application. It is concluded, SAP potently facilitates neuronal activity in various brain regions, including the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus. SAP might, therefore, be expected to have clinical application in the relief of edema in most organic tissues.
