2-Pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid (PCA) is a cyclic derivative of glutamic acid, physiologically present in mammalian tissues. It has been shown that PCA releases GABA from the cerebral cortex and displays anti-anxiety effects in a simple approach-avoidance conflict situation in the rat. In clinical pharmacology experiments, PCA significantly shortens the plasma half-life of ethanol during acute intoxication. [HMDB]
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