Expression of IL-1 mRNA in the dentate gyrus of adult rats following lithium-pilocarione-induced seizures
Objective: To examine the expression of IL-1beta, IL-1ra and IL-1R mRNA in the dentate gyrus of adult rats after lithium-pilocarpine (Li-PILO)-induced seizures.
Methods: Seizure epilepticus (SE) was induced using Li-PILO intraperitoneally (i.p.) injection. Lithium chloride was injected 18-20 h prior to PILO. The rats in the control group were given physiological saline instead of pilocarpine. We observed the behavior of rats and examined the expression of cytokines mRNA in dentate gyrus by RT-PCR.
Results: Rats had seizure epilepticus in 30 min after administrated of pilocarpine. Cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-1ra and IL-1R) began to increase significantly (P<0.05) at 1 h after SE, and the peak was at 6-12 h. Expression of all cytokines declined on 48 h after SE.
Conclusions: Our findings suggested that SE lead to increased expression of IL-1, IL-1ra and IL-1R1 after lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures, indicating that cytokines involved in SE and brain impairment after seizure.