Effect of furazolidone and nitrofurazone on brain gamma-amino butyric acid and glutamate concentrations in chickens

The concentrations of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate were measured in the brains of chickens which were treated with furazolidone (FZ) or nitrofurazone (NF) at oral doses of 12.5, or 50 mg/kg for 5 days. At the end of the treatment, the birds lost about 9% of their bodyweight when on the small dose of FZ or NF and about 18% when on the high doses. Both drugs produced dose-dependent increases in the concentrations of GABA and glutamate which were statistically significant at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg of NF, and 50 mg/kg of FZ.