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Tahmasebi A, Jamali B, Atabaki V, Sarker SD, Nahar L, Min HJ, Lee CW. A comprehensive review of the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of two Iranian Rydingia species (Lamiaceae). Fitoterapia 2024; 176:106026. [PMID: 38768794 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Rydingia michauxii and R. persica, respectively, known as Kase Gol and Goldar in Persian, belong to the family Lamiaceae and they are well known herbal medicine in Iran for the treatment of various diseases, particularly diabetes. This review aims to appraise the phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and pharmacological activities of Rydingia species growing in Iran and assess their potential in clinical applications. Besides, it critically evaluates existing literature and looks into the perspective for further research and utilization. All available scientific literature was consulted using the database searches involving Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science applying the keyword Rydingia and its Syn; Otostegia. Only the search results that are associated with the Iranian species R. michauxii and R. persica are included in this review. α-pinene, carvacrol, caryophyllene oxide, diisooctyl phthalate, dillapiole, eugenol, hexadecanoic acid, and pentacosane are the major constituents of the essential oils of the Rydingia species. Additionally, these species produce bioactive flavonoids, phenolic acids, steroids, and terpenoids. Extracts and active compounds from Rydingia species have been reported to possess various pharmacological activities including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and lipid-lowering properties. Based on the information available to date on the Iranian Rydingia species, it will be worth subjecting these species to further developmental work involving preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aminallah Tahmasebi
- Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Center, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran; Plant Protection Research Group, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran; Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Babak Jamali
- Department of Agriculture, Minab Higher Education Center, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Vahideh Atabaki
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Satyajit D Sarker
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Lutfun Nahar
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Palacký University and Institute of Experimental Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Šlechtitelů 27, 78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Hye Jung Min
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Gwangju Women's University, Gwangju 62396, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chul Won Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
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Involvements of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Neurological Disorders. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11010037. [PMID: 33419180 PMCID: PMC7825518 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine (HCY), a physiological amino acid formed when proteins break down, leads to a pathological condition called hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY), when it is over a definite limit. It is well known that an increase in HCY levels in blood, can contribute to arterial damage and several cardiovascular disease, but the knowledge about the relationship between HCY and brain disorders is very poor. Recent studies demonstrated that an alteration in HCY metabolism or a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12 can cause altered methylation and/or redox potentials, that leads to a modification on calcium influx in cells, or into an accumulation in amyloid and/or tau protein involving a cascade of events that culminate in apoptosis, and, in the worst conditions, neuronal death. The present review will thus summarize how much is known about the possible role of HHCY in neurodegenerative disease.
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Liu L, Liang J, Liu Q, Luo C, Liu J, Fan R, Chen Z, Chen Y, Peng F, Jiang Y. Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis. Front Neurol 2019; 10:464. [PMID: 31130913 PMCID: PMC6509947 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been investigated in many diseases, such as neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, changes in Hcy levels in anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis have not been investigated thus far. Methods: Case data were collected from 45 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 179 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics, Hcy levels, C reactive protein (CRP) levels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters were determined. Association of Hcy and clinical parameters were evaluated in these patients. Among these 45 patients, 15 had a follow-up evaluation at 3 months after treatment. Results: Hcy levels (p < 0.001) and CRP levels (p = 0.005) from the patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were significantly higher than those from HCs. Hcy levels from male patients were significantly lower than those from male HCs (p < 0.001). Comparing anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients after treatment with before treatment, the former has significantly higher Hcy levels (p = 0.004), CRP levels (p = 0.041) and mRS scores (p = 0.002). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between the changes in Hcy levels and the changes in mRS scores (r = −0.534, p = 0.040) was observed. Conclusion: Elevated plasma homocysteine occurs in anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and seems associated with male sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizhi Liu
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, China
| | - Jie Liang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Huizhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huizhou, China
| | - Chongliang Luo
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Chen
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Fuhua Peng
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Jakubowski H. Homocysteine Modification in Protein Structure/Function and Human Disease. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:555-604. [PMID: 30427275 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00003.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies established that elevated homocysteine, an important intermediate in folate, vitamin B12, and one carbon metabolism, is associated with poor health, including heart and brain diseases. Earlier studies show that patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia, first identified in the 1960s, exhibit neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities and premature death due to vascular complications. Although homocysteine is considered to be a nonprotein amino acid, studies over the past 2 decades have led to discoveries of protein-related homocysteine metabolism and mechanisms by which homocysteine can become a component of proteins. Homocysteine-containing proteins lose their biological function and acquire cytotoxic, proinflammatory, proatherothrombotic, and proneuropathic properties, which can account for the various disease phenotypes associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. This review describes mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia affects cellular proteostasis, provides a comprehensive account of the biological chemistry of homocysteine-containing proteins, and discusses pathophysiological consequences and clinical implications of their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health , Newark, New Jersey ; and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
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Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and susceptibility to epilepsy. Neurol Sci 2018; 39:2033-2041. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-018-3583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Mijailovic N, Selakovic D, Joksimovic J, Jakovljevic V, Nikolic T, Rosic G. The Effects of Methionine-Enriched and Vitamins (Folate, Pyridoxine and Cobalamine)-Deficient Diet on Exploratory Activity in Rats - A Brief Report. SERBIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH 2017; 18:307-312. [DOI: 10.1515/sjecr-2017-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of increased homocysteine levels induced by methionine nutritional overload (twice as standard) and deficiency of the vitamins folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine, which plays an important role in homocysteine metabolism in anxiety-related behaviour, expressed by means of exploratory activity in rats. Twenty-three male Wistar albino rats (4 weeks old, 100±15 g body weight) were divided into three groups: control (n=8), methionine-enriched (Meth+, 7.7 g of methionine/kg chow, n=7) and methionine-enriched vitamin-deficient (Meth+Vit-, 7.7 g of methionine/ kg chow, deficient in folate, pyridoxine and cobalamine - 0.08, 0.01 and 0.01 mg/kg, n=8). All animals had free access to food and water for 30 days. Behavioural testing was performed using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Standard parameters for vertical exploratory activity, the number of rearings and the number of head-dippings, as well as the total exploratory activity (summarizing overall exploratory activity in the EPM) were significantly reduced following 30 days of methionine nutritional overload (p<0.05, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). A methionine-enriched diet coupled with a reduction in some B vitamins resulted in a more pronounced decline in exploratory drive observed in the EPM test compared to the control (p<0.01). The decline in total exploratory activity associated with vitamin deficiency was significant compared to the Meth+ group (p<0.05). The results of this study highlight the important role of homocysteine in the modulation of exploratory activity in rats. Decreased exploratory drive induced by both a methionine-enriched and vitamin-deficient diet could be attributed to an anxiogenic effect of hyperhomocysteinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Mijailovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
| | - Dragica Selakovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
| | - Jovana Joksimovic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
| | - Vladimir Jakovljevic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
| | - Tamara Nikolic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
| | - Gvozden Rosic
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences , University of Kragujevac , Serbia
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Hrncic D, Mikić J, Rasic-Markovic A, Velimirović M, Stojković T, Obrenović R, Rankov-Petrović B, Šušić V, Djuric D, Petronijević N, Stanojlovic O. Anxiety-related behavior in hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload in rats: role of the brain oxidative stress. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2016; 94:1074-1082. [PMID: 27389677 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2015-0581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a methionine-enriched diet on anxiety-related behavior in rats and to determine the role of the brain oxidative status in these alterations. Adult male Wistar rats were fed from the 30th to 60th postnatal day with standard or methionine-enriched diet (double content comparing with standard diet: 7.7 g/kg). Rats were tested in open field and light-dark tests and afterwards oxidative status in the different brain regions were determined. Hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine-enriched diet in this study decreased the number of rearings, as well as the time that these animals spent in the center of the open field, but increased index of thigmotaxy. Oxidative status was selectively altered in the examined regions. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the cortex and nc. caudatus of rats developing hyperhomocysteinemia, but unaltered in the hippocampus and thalamus. Based on the results of this research, it could be concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload increased anxiety-related behavior in rats. These proanxiogenic effects could be, at least in part, a consequence of oxidative stress in the rat brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Hrncic
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Mikić
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Rasic-Markovic
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Velimirović
- b Institute of Clinical and Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tihomir Stojković
- b Institute of Clinical and Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Radmila Obrenović
- c Clinical Center of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Rankov-Petrović
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Veselinka Šušić
- d Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Djuric
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Petronijević
- b Institute of Clinical and Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olivera Stanojlovic
- a Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", Belgrade University Faculty of Medicine, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Folbergrová J, Ješina P, Kubová H, Druga R, Otáhal J. Status Epilepticus in Immature Rats Is Associated with Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:136. [PMID: 27303267 PMCID: PMC4881382 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurologic disorder, particularly frequent in infants and children where it can lead to serious consequences later in life. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders including epilepsy in adults. However, their role in immature epileptic brain is unclear since there have been two contrary opinions: oxidative stress is age-dependent and does not occur in immature brain during status epilepticus (SE) and, on the other hand, evidence of oxidative stress in immature brain during a specific model of SE. To solve this dilemma, we have decided to investigate oxidative stress following SE induced in immature 12-day-old rats by three substances with a different mechanism of action, namely 4-aminopyridine, LiCl-pilocarpine or kainic acid. Fluoro-Jade-B staining revealed mild brain damage especially in hippocampus and thalamus in each of the tested models. Decrease of glucose and glycogen with parallel rises of lactate clearly indicate high rate of glycolysis, which was apparently not sufficient in 4-AP and Li-Pilo status, as evident from the decreases of PCr levels. Hydroethidium method revealed significantly higher levels of superoxide anion (by ∼60%) in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and thalamus of immature rats during status. SE lead to mitochondrial dysfunction with a specific pronounced decrease of complex I activity that persisted for a long period of survival. Complexes II and IV activities remained in the control range. Antioxidant treatment with SOD mimetic MnTMPYP or peroxynitrite scavenger FeTPPS significantly attenuated oxidative stress and inhibition of complex I activity. These findings bring evidence that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are age and model independent, and may thus be considered a general phenomenon. They can have a clinical relevance for a novel approach to the treatment of epilepsy, allowing to target the mechanisms which play a crucial or additive role in the pathogenesis of epilepsies in infants and children.
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Lubana SS, Alfishawy M, Singh N, Atkinson S. Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Elevated Folate Levels: An Unusual Cause of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2015; 16:386-9. [PMID: 26101427 PMCID: PMC4484606 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.893847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Patient: Male, 49 Final Diagnosis: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in the setting of vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated folate levels Symptoms: Seizures Medication: — Clinical Procedure: None Specialty: Neurology
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Singh Lubana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Mostafa Alfishawy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Navdeep Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Sharon Atkinson
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, NY, USA
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Nikalje AP, Ansari A, Bari S, Ugale V. Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Docking Study of Novel Isatin Coupled Thiazolidin-4-one Derivatives as Anticonvulsants. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2015; 348:433-45. [PMID: 25903766 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201500020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A series of 2-(substituted-phenyl)-3-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)amino)-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives were designed and synthesized under microwave irradiation, using an eco-friendly, efficient, microwave-assisted synthetic protocol that involves cyclocondensation of 3-substituted benzylidine-hydrazono-indolin-2-one 3a-j with thioglycolic acid in dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent and anhydrous zinc chloride as a catalyst, keeping in view the structural requirement of the pharmacophore. The intermediate compounds 3a-j were obtained by condensation of the hydrazone of indoline-2,3-dione with aromatic aldehydes. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for CNS depressant activity and anticonvulsant activity in mice using the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (sc-PTZ) induced seizure tests. All the derivatives showed good CNS depressant activity and showed protection in the MES test, indicative of their ability to inhibit the seizure spread. A histopathological study was performed to evaluate liver toxicity caused by the synthesized compounds. The compounds were nontoxic. A computational study was performed, in which log P values were calculated experimentally. Virtual screening was performed by molecular docking of the designed compounds into the ATP binding sites of the NMDA and AMPA receptors, to predict if these compounds have analogous binding modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P Nikalje
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Altamash Ansari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay Bari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmacy, Shirpur (Dhule), Maharashtra, India
| | - Vinod Ugale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmacy, Shirpur (Dhule), Maharashtra, India
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Wu YL, Yang HY, Ding XX, Zhao X, Chen J, Bi P, Sun YH. Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility: a meta-analysis. Seizure 2014; 23:411-6. [PMID: 24556013 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism has been implicated as a potential risk factor for epilepsy. To date, many case-control studies have investigated the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility. However, those findings were inconsistent. The objective of this study is to evaluate the precise association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy. METHODS An electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE for papers on the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility was performed. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association. RESULTS Ten case-control studies containing 1713 cases and 1867 controls regarding MTHFR C677T polymorphism were selected. A significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility was revealed in this meta-analysis (for T vs. C: OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.08-1.32; for TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.05-1.38; for TT vs. CC: OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.20-1.83; for TT vs. CT+CC: OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.12-1.64). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the results also indicated the association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and epilepsy susceptibility within the Asian populations (for T vs. C: OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.15-2.07; for TT+CT vs. CC: OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.08-2.59; for TT vs. CC: OR=2.33, 95% CI=1.30-4.20; for TT vs. CT+CC: OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.12-3.18). CONCLUSION The results indicated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy. However, further studies in various regions are needed to confirm the findings from this meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Le Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Hui-Yun Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Ding
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Peng Bi
- Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ye-Huan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
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Ferretti A, Parisi P, Villa MP. The role of hyperhomocysteinemia in neurological features associated with coeliac disease. Med Hypotheses 2013; 81:524-31. [PMID: 23891042 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders are widely reported to be associated with coeliac patients, their pathogenesis remains unclear. Some such disorders are believed to be secondary to vitamin deficiency due to malabsorption, others to immune mechanisms. We hypothesise that hyperhomocysteinemia might, by damaging the blood-brain barrier, expose neuronal tissue to all neuro-irritative metabolites, such as homocysteine itself, a neurotoxic excitatory and proconvulsant amino acid. Neurons respond to these stimuli through hyperexcitability, thereby predisposing subjects to neurological disorders such as epilepsy and headache. Furthermore, persisting endothelial damage may cause blood extravasation and subsequent deposition of calcium salts. We suggest that this might be the pathogenesis of the CEC syndrome, which is characterized by the association of coeliac disease, epilepsy and cerebral calcifications. Indeed, homocysteine plays a well-known role in cardiovascular endothelial dysfunction, with high serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels often being reported in coeliac patients. Moreover, data in the literature show a strong, growing association of homocysteine with epilepsy and migraine in non-coeliac subjects. Despite these findings, homocysteine has never been held directly responsible for neuronal functional features (neuronal hyperexcitability underlying epilepsy and migraine) and structural brain damage (expressed as cerebral calcification) in coeliac patients. Damage to the blood-brain barrier might also facilitate immune reactions against neuronal tissue to a considerable extent. This hypothesis combines the two afore-mentioned theories (vitamin deficiency due to malabsorption and immune mechanisms). We also wish to point out that no studies have yet investigated the prevalence of neuronal hyperexcitability and subclinical electroencephalic abnormalities in children and adults with newly-diagnosed coeliac disease before the introduction of a gluten-free diet, and in particular any changes following the introduction of the diet. We believe that the onset of clinical symptoms such as migraine and convulsions is preceded by a period in which damage is expressed exclusively by subclinical electroencephalic abnormalities; persisting damage to neuronal tissue subsequently leads to clinical manifestations. We propose two types of investigations: the first is to determine whether newly-diagnosed coeliac patients with hyperhomocysteinemia are a subgroup at risk for neurological features (clinical and subclinical); the second is to determine whether appropriate treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin B status deficiency improves neurological abnormalities and reduces the risk of cerebral calcifications. The aim of these investigations is to develop new therapeutic strategies designed to prevent neuronal damage and increase the quality of life in children affected by such disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Ferretti
- Pediatric Sleep Disease Centre, Child Neurology, NESMOS Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-39, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Kutorasinska J, Setkowicz Z, Janeczko K, Sandt C, Dumas P, Chwiej J. Differences in the hippocampal frequency of creatine inclusions between the acute and latent phases of pilocarpine model defined using synchrotron radiation-based FTIR microspectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 2013; 405:7337-45. [PMID: 23877175 PMCID: PMC3756859 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-013-7191-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2013] [Revised: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of epilepsy in adults. Of the animal models developed to investigate the pathogenesis of TLE, the one with pilocarpine-induced seizures is most often used. After pilocarpine administration in animals, three distinct periods--acute, latent, and chronic--can be distinguished according to their behavior. The present paper is the continuation of our previous study which has shown an increased occurrence of creatine inclusions in rat hippocampal formations from the acute phase of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) and positive correlation between their quantity and the total time of seizure activity within the observation period. In this paper, we tried to verify if anomalies in hippocampal creatine accumulation were the temporary or permanent effect of pilocarpine-evoked seizures. To realize this purpose, male Wistar rats in the latent phase (3 days after pilocarpine administration) were examined. The results obtained for the period when stabilization of animal behavior and EEG occurs were afterwards compared with ones obtained for the acute phase of pilocarpine-induced SE and for naive controls. To investigate the frequency of creatine inclusions within the hippocampal formation as well as in its selected areas (sectors 1-3 of Ammon's horn (CA1-CA3), dentate gyrus (DG), and hilus of DG) and cellular layers (pyramidal, molecular, multiform, and granular cell layers), synchrotron radiation-based Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy was used. The applied technique, being a combination of light microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, allowed us to localize microscopic details in the analyzed samples and provided information concerning their chemical composition. Moreover, the use of a synchrotron source of IR radiation allowed us to carry out the research at the diffraction-limited spatial resolution which, because of the typical size of creatine inclusions (from a few to dozens of micrometers), was necessary for our study. The comparison of epileptic animals in the latent phase with controls showed statistically significant increase in the number of creatine inclusions for most of the analyzed hippocampal regions, all examined cellular layers, as well as the whole hippocampal formation. Moreover, for the hilus of the DG and CA3 area, the number of creatine deposits was higher in the latent than in the acute phase after pilocarpine injection. In light of the obtained results, an anomaly in the hippocampal accumulation of creatine is the long-term effect of pilocarpine-evoked seizures, and the intensity of this phenomenon may increase with time passing from the primary injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kutorasinska
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059, Krakow, Poland.
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Hrnčić D, Rašić-Marković A, Bjekić-Macut J, Šušić V, Djuric D, Stanojlović O. Paradoxical sleep deprivation potentiates epilepsy induced by homocysteine thiolactone in adult rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2013; 238:77-83. [DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2012.012154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an intriguing and still poorly understood relationship between sleep deprivation and epilepsy. It has recently been shown that paradoxical sleep deprivation decreases levels of homocysteine, an amino acid involved together with its thiolactone metabolite in epileptogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation on homocysteine thiolactone (H)-induced seizures in rats, a model of generalized seizures. Selective deprivation of paradoxical sleep in adult male Wistar rats was achieved by the platform method. Animals with implanted electrodes for electroencephalogram (EEG) registration were assigned to appropriate experimental conditions (dry cage for control, large platform for stress control and small platform for paradoxical sleep deprivation) and 72 h later were intraperitoneally treated with either H (5.5 mmol/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl). This study showed that paradoxical sleep deprivation increased the incidence and number of H-induced seizure episodes, shortened latency time to seizures and led to significant rates of lethality after H administration, but without effect on the seizure severity. Paradoxical sleep deprivation increased the number and duration of spikes-and-wave discharges, while decreased latency to its appearance in EEG. Judging by the behavioral and EEG findings, it could be concluded that paradoxical sleep deprivation can provoke the expression of factors that can potentiate H-induced seizures in adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Hrnčić
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Institute of Medical Physiology ‘Richard Burian’, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26/II
| | - Aleksandra Rašić-Marković
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Institute of Medical Physiology ‘Richard Burian’, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26/II
| | | | - Veselinka Šušić
- Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Djuric
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Institute of Medical Physiology ‘Richard Burian’, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26/II
| | - Olivera Stanojlović
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Institute of Medical Physiology ‘Richard Burian’, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26/II
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15
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Zayachkivsky A, Lehmkuhle MJ, Fisher JH, Ekstrand JJ, Dudek FE. Recording EEG in immature rats with a novel miniature telemetry system. J Neurophysiol 2012; 109:900-11. [PMID: 23114207 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00593.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serial EEG recordings from immature rat pups are extremely difficult to obtain but important for analyzing animal models of neonatal seizures and other pediatric neurological conditions as well as normal physiology. In this report, we describe the features and applications of a novel miniature telemetry system designed to record EEG in rat pups as young as postnatal day 6 (P6). First, we have recorded electrographic seizure activity in two animal models of neonatal seizures, hypoxia- and kainate-induced seizures at P7. Second, we describe a viable approach for long-term continuous EEG monitoring of naturally reared rat pups implanted with EEG at P6. Third, we have used serial EEG recordings to record age-dependent changes in the background EEG signal as the animals matured from P7 to P11. The important advantages of using miniature wireless EEG technology are: 1) minimally invasive surgical implantation; 2) a device form-factor that is compatible with housing of rat pups with the dam and littermates; 3) serial recordings of EEG activity; and 4) low power consumption of the unit, theoretically allowing continuous monitoring for up to 2 yr without surgical reimplantation. The miniature EEG telemetry system provides a technical advance that allows researchers to record continuous and serial EEG recordings in neonatal rodent models of human neurological disorders, study the progression of the disease, and then assess possible therapies using quantitative EEG as an outcome measure. This new technical approach should improve animal models of human conditions that rely on EEG monitoring for diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zayachkivsky
- Dept. of Physiology, Univ. of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-6500, USA
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16
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Eldeen ON, Abd Eldayem SM, Shatla RH, Omara NA, Elgammal SS. Homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in serum of epileptic children. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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17
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Borowczyk K, Shih DM, Jakubowski H. Metabolism and neurotoxicity of homocysteine thiolactone in mice: evidence for a protective role of paraoxonase 1. J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 30:225-31. [PMID: 22406444 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2012-111940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy)-thiolactone is toxic, induces epileptic seizures in rodents, and has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Paraoxonase 1 (Pon1), a component of high-density lipoprotein, hydrolyzes Hcy-thiolactone in vitro. Whether this reflects a physiological function and whether Pon1 can protect against Hcy-thiolactone toxicity was unknown. Here we show that Hcy-thiolactone was elevated in brains of Pon1-/- mice (1.5-fold, p = 0.047) and that Pon1-/- mice excrete more Hcy-thiolactone than wild type animals (2.4-fold, p = 0.047). The frequency of seizures induced by intraperitoneal injections of L-Hcy-thiolactone was significantly higher in Pon1-/- mice compared with wild type animals (52.8% versus 29.5%, p = 0.042); the latency of seizures was lower in Pon1-/- mice than in wild type animals (31.8 min versus 41.2 min, p = 0.019). Using the Pon1 null mice, we provide the first direct evidence that a specific Hcy metabolite, Hcy-thiolactone, rather than Hcy itself is neurotoxic in vivo. Our findings indicate that Pon1 protects mice against Hcy-thiolactone neurotoxicity by hydrolyzing it in the brain, and suggest a mechanism by which Pon1 can protect against neurodegeneration associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Borowczyk
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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Borowczyk K, Tisończyk J, Jakubowski H. Metabolism and neurotoxicity of homocysteine thiolactone in mice: protective role of bleomycin hydrolase. Amino Acids 2012; 43:1339-48. [PMID: 22227865 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1207-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Genetic or nutritional disorders in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism elevate Hcy-thiolactone and cause heart and brain diseases. Hcy-thiolactone has been implicated in these diseases because it has the ability to modify protein lysine residues and generate toxic N-Hcy-proteins with auto-immunogenic, pro-thrombotic, and amyloidogenic properties. Bleomycin hydrolase (Blmh) has the ability to hydrolyze L-Hcy-thiolactone (but not D-Hcy-thiolactone) to Hcy in vitro, but whether this reflects a physiological function has been unknown. Here, we show that Blmh (-/-) mice excreted in urine 1.8-fold more Hcy-thiolactone than wild-type Blmh (+/+) animals (P = 0.02). Hcy-thiolactone was elevated 2.3-fold in brains (P = 0.004) and 2.0-fold in kidneys (P = 0.047) of Blmh (-/-) mice relative to Blmh (+/+) animals. Plasma N-Hcy-protein was elevated in Blmh (-/-) mice fed a normal (2.3-fold, P < 0.001) or hyperhomocysteinemic diet (1.5-fold, P < 0.001), compared with Blmh (+/+) animals. More intraperitoneally injected L-Hcy-thiolactone was recovered in plasma in Blmh (-/-) mice than in wild-type Blmh (+/+) animals (83.1 vs. 39.3 μM, P < 0.0001). In Blmh (+/+) mice injected intraperitoneally with D-Hcy-thiolactone, D,L-Hcy-thiolactone, or L-Hcy-thiolactone, 88, 47, or 6.3%, respectively, of the injected dose was recovered in plasma. The incidence of seizures induced by L-Hcy-thiolactone injections (3,700 nmol/g body weight) was higher in Blmh (-/-) than in Blmh (+/+) mice (93.8 vs. 29.5%, P < 0.001). Using the Blmh null mice, we provide the first direct evidence that a specific Hcy metabolite, Hcy-thiolactone, rather than Hcy itself, is neurotoxic in vivo. Taken together, our findings indicate that Blmh protects mice against L-Hcy-thiolactone toxicity by metabolizing it to Hcy and suggest a mechanism by which Blmh might protect against neurodegeneration associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Borowczyk
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, International Center for Public Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 225 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07101, USA
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Carrillo-Carrasco N, Venditti CP. Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria, cblC type. II. Complications, pathophysiology, and outcomes. J Inherit Metab Dis 2012; 35:103-14. [PMID: 21748408 PMCID: PMC3529128 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-011-9365-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Revised: 05/27/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Combined methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria, cblC type, is stated to be the most common inborn error of intracellular cobalamin metabolism. The disorder can display a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, spanning the prenatal period through late adulthood. While increased homocysteine concentrations and impaired methyl group metabolism may contribute to disease-related complications, the characteristic macular and retinal degeneration seen in many affected patients appears to be unique to cblC disease. The early detection of cblC disease by newborn screening mandates a careful assessment of therapeutic approaches and provides a new opportunity to improve the outcome of affected patients. The following article reviews the current knowledge on the complications, pathophysiology, and outcome of cblC disease in an effort to better guide clinical practice and future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Carrillo-Carrasco
- Organic Acid Research Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 4A18, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Charles P. Venditti
- Organic Acid Research Section, Genetics and Molecular Biology Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 49, Room 4A18, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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20
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Karagülle D, Heberlein A, Wilhelm J, Frieling H, Kornhuber J, Bleich S, Hillemacher T. Biological markers for alcohol withdrawal seizures: a retrospective analysis. Eur Addict Res 2012; 18:97-102. [PMID: 22286945 DOI: 10.1159/000335273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) are among the most important possible complications during the detoxification treatment of alcohol-dependent patients. Pharmacological therapy is often used during detoxification, but can cause dangerous side effects [Eur Addict Res 2010;16:179-184]. In separate studies several biological markers have been described as being associated with AWS risk. We investigated the role of homocysteine (HCT), carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and prolactin (PRL) as biological markers for the risk of developing AWS. METHODS The present study included 189 alcohol-dependent patients of whom 51 had a history of AWS. We investigated the HCT, CDT and PRL levels of all patients and calculated sensitivity and specificity. Bayes' theorem was used to calculate positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values. RESULTS The highest combined sensitivity and specificity for %CDT was reached at a plasma cutoff value of 3.75%. The combination of HCT at a cutoff value of 23.9 μmol/l and %CDT at a cutoff value of 3.75% showed the best predictive values (sensitivity 47.1%, specificity 88.4%, PPV 0.504, NPV 0.870). CONCLUSION A combined assessment of HCT and CDT levels can be a useful method to identify patients at a higher risk of AWS, which may lead to a more individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deniz Karagülle
- Department of Psychiatry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. karaguelle.deniz @ mh-hannover.de
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Ghasemi M, Schachter SC. The NMDA receptor complex as a therapeutic target in epilepsy: a review. Epilepsy Behav 2011; 22:617-40. [PMID: 22056342 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Revised: 07/01/2011] [Accepted: 07/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A substantial amount of research has shown that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) may play a key role in the pathophysiology of several neurological diseases, including epilepsy. Animal models of epilepsy and clinical studies demonstrate that NMDAR activity and expression can be altered in association with epilepsy and particularly in some specific seizure types. NMDAR antagonists have been shown to have antiepileptic effects in both clinical and preclinical studies. There is some evidence that conventional antiepileptic drugs may also affect NMDAR function. In this review, we describe the evidence for the involvement of NMDARs in the pathophysiology of epilepsy and provide an overview of NMDAR antagonists that have been investigated in clinical trials and animal models of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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22
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Marković AR, Hrnčić D, Macut D, Stanojlović O, Djuric D. Anticonvulsive Effect of Folic Acid in Homocysteine Thiolactone-Induced Seizures. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2011; 31:1221-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-011-9724-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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23
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Rašić-Marković A, Hrnčić D, Djurić D, Macut D, Lončar-Stevanović H, Stanojlović O. The effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists on D,L-homocysteine thiolactone induced seizures in adult rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 98:17-26. [DOI: 10.1556/aphysiol.98.2011.1.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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24
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Kim DW, Yeo SI, Ryu HJ, Kim JE, Song HK, Kwon OS, Choi SY, Kang TC. Effects of creatine and β-guanidinopropionic acid and alterations in creatine transporter and creatine kinases expression in acute seizure and chronic epilepsy models. BMC Neurosci 2010; 11:141. [PMID: 20979657 PMCID: PMC2978220 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-11-141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In order to confirm the roles of creatine (Cr) in epilepsy, we investigated the anti-convulsive effects of Cr, creatine transporter (CRT) and creatine kinases (CKs) against chemical-induced acute seizure activity and chronic epileptic seizure activity. Results Two hr after pilocarpine (PILO)-seizure induction, ubiquitous mitochondrial CK (uMtCK) immunoreactivity was unaltered as compared to control level. However, brain-type cytoplasm CK (BCK) immunoreactivity was decreased to 70% of control level. CRT immunoreactivity was decreased to 60% of control level. Following Cr or Tat-CK treatment, uMtCK or CRT immunoreactivity was unaffected, while BCK immunoreactivity in Cr treated group was increased to 3.6-fold of control levels. β-Guanidinopropionic acid (GPA, a competitive CRT inhibitor) reduced BCK and CRT expression. In addition, Cr and tat-BCK treatment delayed the beginning of seizure activity after PILO injection. However, GPA treatment induced spontaneous seizure activity without PILO treatment. In chronic epilepsy rats, both uMtCK and CRT immunoreactivities were reduced in the hippocampus. In contrast, BCK immunoreactivity was similar to that observed in control animals. Cr-, GPA and tat-BCK treatment could not change EEG. Conclusion Cr/CK circuit may play an important role in sustaining or exacerbating acute seizure activity, but not chronic epileptic discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Won Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Science, Hallym University, Chunchon Kangwon-Do 200-702, Republic of Korea
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25
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Ghasemi M, Shafaroodi H, Nazarbeiki S, Meskar H, Ghasemi A, Bahremand A, Ziai P, Dehpour AR. Inhibition of NMDA receptor/NO signaling blocked tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect of morphine on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice. Epilepsy Res 2010; 91:39-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2009] [Revised: 05/31/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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26
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Ghasemi M, Shafaroodi H, Nazarbeiki S, Meskar H, Heydarpour P, Ghasemi A, Talab SS, Ziai P, Bahremand A, Dehpour AR. Voltage-dependent calcium channel and NMDA receptor antagonists augment anticonvulsant effects of lithium chloride on pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizures in mice. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 18:171-8. [PMID: 20605531 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2010.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Revised: 03/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/02/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Although lithium is still a mainstay in the treatment of bipolar disorder, its underlying mechanisms of action have not been completely elucidated. Several studies have shown that lithium can also modulate seizure susceptibility in a variety of models. In the present study, using a model of clonic seizures induced with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in male Swiss mice, we investigated whether there is any interaction between lithium and either calcium channel blockers (CCBs: nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (ketamine and MK-801) in modulating seizure threshold. Acute lithium administration (5-100mg/kg, ip) significantly (P<0.01) increased seizure threshold. CCBs and NMDA receptor antagonists also exerted dose-dependent anticonvulsant effects on PTZ-induced seizures. Noneffective doses of CCBs (5mg/kg, ip), when combined with a noneffective dose of lithium (5mg/kg, ip), exerted significant anticonvulsant effects. Moreover, co-administration of a noneffective dose of either MK-801 (0.05mg/kg, ip) or ketamine (5mg/kg, ip) with a noneffective dose of lithium (5mg/kg, ip) significantly increased seizure threshold. Our findings demonstrate that lithium increases the clonic seizure threshold induced by PTZ in mice and interacts with either CCBs or NMDA receptor antagonists in exerting this effect, suggesting a role for Ca(2+) signaling in the anticonvulsant effects of lithium in the PTZ model of clonic seizures in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
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The Role of Nitric Oxide in Homocysteine Thiolactone-Induced Seizures in Adult Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2009; 30:219-31. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-009-9444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2009] [Accepted: 08/11/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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28
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Posttreatment with group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist 2R,4R-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate is only weakly effective on seizures in immature rats. Brain Res 2009; 1273:144-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Two types of seizures in homocysteine thiolactone-treated adult rats, behavioral and electroencephalographic study. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2008; 29:329-39. [PMID: 18972205 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-008-9324-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 10/09/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
D,L-homocysteine thiolactone (H), a reactive homocysteine metabolite, contributes to total homocysteine pool. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of H after acute application in increasing doses to rats. Adult Wistar rat were intraperitoneally administered saline or H in increasing doses (5.5, 8.0, or 11.0 mmol/kg). For electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, three gold-plated screws were implanted into the skull and animals were supervised. We observed H-induced two types of seizures, the coexistence of convulsive and nonconvulsive epilepsy. Dose-related increase in the number and severity (0-4) of displaying convulsions was recorded. In H(5.5) group, the majority of seizure episodes were grade 1 (62.5 and 0% lethality), in H(8) 40% grade 2, and in H(11) grade 4 in 42.11% (100% lethal outcome). EEGs recordings in convulsive animals showed a high-voltage spike-wave and polyspikes complexes. The second, absence-like, nonconvulsive seizures were accompanied by the EEGs mostly with 6-8 Hz spikes-and-wave discharges (SWD). Latency time to the generalized clonic-tonic seizures overlapped with the time of the maximal median number and median duration of the SWD per 15 min during 90-min observing period. The results show that acute H administration significantly changes neurons, EEG tracings, and behavioral responses and suggests a possible model for studying petit mal epilepsy.
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Comparison of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine effects on aminothiol levels. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2007; 64:83-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00228-007-0388-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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31
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Abdelmalik PA, Shannon P, Yiu A, Liang P, Adamchik Y, Weisspapir M, Samoilova M, Burnham WM, Carlen PL. Hypoglycemic seizures during transient hypoglycemia exacerbate hippocampal dysfunction. Neurobiol Dis 2007; 26:646-60. [PMID: 17459717 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2007.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 02/26/2007] [Accepted: 03/07/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe hypoglycemia constitutes a medical emergency, involving seizures, coma and death. We hypothesized that seizures, during limited substrate availability, aggravate hypoglycemia-induced brain damage. Using immature isolated, intact hippocampi and frontal neocortical blocks subjected to low glucose perfusion, we characterized hypoglycemic (neuroglycopenic) seizures in vitro during transient hypoglycemia and their effects on synaptic transmission and glycogen content. Hippocampal hypoglycemic seizures were always followed by an irreversible reduction (>60% loss) in synaptic transmission and were occasionally accompanied by spreading depression-like events. Hypoglycemic seizures occurred more frequently with decreasing "hypoglycemic" extracellular glucose concentrations. In contrast, no hypoglycemic seizures were generated in the neocortex during transient hypoglycemia, and the reduction of synaptic transmission was reversible (<60% loss). Hypoglycemic seizures in the hippocampus were abolished by NMDA and non-NMDA antagonists. The anticonvulsant, midazolam, but neither phenytoin nor valproate, also abolished hypoglycemic seizures. Non-glycolytic, oxidative substrates attenuated, but did not abolish, hypoglycemic seizure activity and were unable to support synaptic transmission, even in the presence of the adenosine (A1) antagonist, DPCPX. Complete prevention of hypoglycemic seizures always led to the maintenance of synaptic transmission. A quantitative glycogen assay demonstrated that hypoglycemic seizures, in vitro, during hypoglycemia deplete hippocampal glycogen. These data suggest that suppressing seizures during hypoglycemia may decrease subsequent neuronal damage and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Abdelmalik
- Division of Fundamental Neurobiology, Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network MCL12-413, Toronto Western Hospital, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario, 416-603-5040, Canada M5T2S8
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Benbir G, Uysal S, Saltik S, Zeybek CA, Aydin A, Dervent A, Yalcinkaya C. Seizures during treatment of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Seizure 2007; 16:69-73. [PMID: 17150378 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2006.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2005] [Revised: 09/12/2005] [Accepted: 10/31/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epileptic seizures during infancy have a wide variety of clinical presentations and the outcome differs according to the etiology. Among the benign and rare causes of infantile seizures, Vitamin B12 deficiency has been encountered. Common symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants include megaloblastic anemia, feeding difficulties, developmental delay, microcephaly, failure to thrive, hypotonia, lethargy, irritability, involuntary movements, seizures and cerebral atrophy. Involuntary movements and seizures may rarely be the initial symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Involuntary movements have also been reported to appear after initiation of Vitamin B12 supplementation in isolated cases, whereas, no such information exits for seizures. In this paper, three infants with Vitamin B12 deficiency associated with motor and mental retardation are reported because of long-lasting focal/multifocal epileptic seizures following the initiation of intramuscular Vitamin B12 treatment. Antiepileptics were introduced in addition to Vitamin B12. Seizures disappeared within a few days or weeks; electroencephalographic findings were normalized in a few months. No relapses occurred during the follow-up period.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Benbir
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Elliott JO, Jacobson MP, Haneef Z. Homocysteine and bone loss in epilepsy. Seizure 2007; 16:22-34. [PMID: 17110134 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2006.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2006] [Revised: 08/25/2006] [Accepted: 10/16/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies reveal fracture incidence in epilepsy is twice that of the normal population. Much interest has been focused on Vitamin D, however, considering mixed results on non-enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and bone mineral density (BMD) additional metabolic effects may be to blame. AEDs increase serum homocysteine (s-Hcy) by lowering blood folate levels. An association between elevated homocysteine, BMD and increased fracture incidence has been found in non-epilepsy populations. Additionally, folate and Vitamin B12 levels are independently related to bone mineral density in various non-epilepsy populations. This study supports previous research, which found elevated s-Hcy in subjects taking AEDs and that bone loss is related to the use of enzyme-inducing AEDs and changes in alkaline phosphatase. By one-way ANOVA, subjects on phenytoin monotherapy had significantly higher levels of s-Hcy than those on other AEDs (F=5.89, p=.016). Regression analyses revealed homocysteine, fracture history, length of years on AEDs, ethnicity were predictors of spine T scores. Weight and BMI were predictors of both BMD and DEXA T scores. Use of enzyme-inducing AEDs was a negative predictor of spine BMD and T scores, while phenytoin monotherapy was a positive predictor of spine BMD. Lamotrigine was found to be a negative predictor of spine T score. Ambulatory status, menopause and alcohol consumption were predictors of BMD but not T scores. In this study, persons with epilepsy who take nutritional supplementation have 25% lower s-Hcy levels than those who do not. Supplementation continues to be important in preventative epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O Elliott
- The Ohio State University, 2050 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43221, USA.
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Bleich S, Bayerlein K, Hillemacher T, Degner D, Kornhuber J, Frieling H. An assessment of the potential value of elevated homocysteine in predicting alcohol-withdrawal seizures. Epilepsia 2006; 47:934-8. [PMID: 16686660 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00560.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Higher homocysteine levels were found in actively drinking patients with alcohol dependence. Recent studies have shown that high homocysteine levels are associated with alcohol-withdrawal seizures. The aim of the present study was to calculate the best predictive cutoff value of plasma homocysteine levels in actively drinking alcoholics (n = 88) with first-onset alcohol-withdrawal seizures. METHODS The present study included 88 alcohol-dependent patients of whom 18 patients had a first-onset withdrawal seizure. All patients were active drinkers and had an established diagnosis of alcohol dependence, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using every homocysteine plasma level found in the study population as cut-off value. A Bayes theorem was used to calculate positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for all cutoff values used. RESULTS The highest combined sensitivity and specificity was reached at a homocysteine plasma cutoff value of 23.9 microM. Positive predictive values ranged from 0.23 to 0.745; the maximum was reached at a homocysteine plasma level of 41.7 microM. Negative predictive values ranged from 0.50 to 0.935, with a maximum at a homocysteine plasma level of 15.8 microM. CONCLUSIONS Homocysteine levels above this cutoff value on admission are a useful screening tool to identify actively drinking patients at higher risk of alcohol-withdrawal seizures. This pilot study gives further hints that biologic markers may be helpful to predict patients at risk for first-onset alcohol-withdrawal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Bleich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Folbergrová J, Druga R, Otáhal J, Haugvicová R, Mares P, Kubová H. Effect of free radical spin trap N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) on seizures induced in immature rats by homocysteic acid. Exp Neurol 2006; 201:105-19. [PMID: 16756975 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2005] [Revised: 03/23/2006] [Accepted: 03/29/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The present study has examined the effect of free radical spin trap N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) in the model of seizures induced in immature 12-day-old rats by bilateral intracerebroventricular infusion of dl-homocysteic acid (dl-HCA, 600 nmol/side). PBN was given i.p. in two doses (100 mg/kg each), 30 min prior and 30 min after dl-HCA infusion. PBN did not significantly influence the severity of seizures, evident both from the behavioral symptoms and EEG recordings. PBN normalized decreased ATP levels in the hippocampus, occurring during the acute phase of seizures ( approximately 45-50 min after infusion) and persisting until the end of the 24-h recovery period. PBN also led to normalization of decreased glucose levels and to a significant reduction of lactate accumulation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The neuroprotective effect of PBN was evaluated after 24 h and 6 days of survival following dl-HCA-induced seizures (Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining). The administration of PBN resulted in a partial amelioration of severe damage observed in many brain regions following infusion of dl-HCA alone. The data suggest that increased free radical production is apparently occurring during seizures induced in immature rats by homocysteic acid. Free radical scavenger PBN had a clear-cut protective effect, evident as the improved recovery of brain energy status and as a partial, but significant, attenuation of neuronal degeneration associated with this model of seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Folbergrová
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
Elevated level of the nonprotein amino acid homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and neural tube defects. However, it is not clear why excess Hcy is harmful. To explain Hcy toxicity, the "Hcy-thiolactone hypothesis" has been proposed. According to this hypothesis, metabolic conversion of Hcy to a chemically reactive metabolite, Hcy-thiolactone, catalyzed by methionyl-tRNA synthetase is the first step in a pathway that contributes to Hcy toxicity in humans. Plasma Hcy-thiolactone levels are elevated in human subjects with hyperhomocysteinemia caused by mutations in CBS or MTHFR genes. Plasma and urinary Hcy-thiolactone levels are also elevated in mice fed a high-methionine diet. Hcy-thiolactone can be detrimental because of its intrinsic ability to form N-Hcy-protein adducts, in which a carboxyl group of Hcy is N-linked to epsilon-amino group of a protein lysine residue. This article reviews recent studies of Hcy-thiolactone and N-Hcy-protein in the human body, including their roles in autoimmune response, cellular toxicity, and atherosclerosis. Potential utility of Hcy-thiolactone, N-Hcy-protein, or anti-N-Hcy-protein autoantibodies as markers of Hcy excess is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hieronim Jakubowski
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ 07101, USA.
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Huang G, Dragan M, Freeman D, Wilson JX. Activation of catechol-O-methyltransferase in astrocytes stimulates homocysteine synthesis and export to neurons. Glia 2005; 51:47-55. [PMID: 15779086 DOI: 10.1002/glia.20185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Elevation of the total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration in plasma has been implicated in neurodegeneration in patients with stroke, dementia, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson disease. Because the mechanisms controlling brain tHcy are unknown, the present study investigated its synthesis and transport in primary rat brain cell cultures. We found that the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) substrate 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) increased export of tHcy in astrocytes, but not in neurons. The export mechanism was selective for tHcy over cyst(e)ine, total glutathione (tGSH) or cysteinylglycine (Cys-Gly). tHcy export from astrocytes was also induced by the COMT substrates levodopa (L-DOPA), dopamine and quercetin, and it was blocked by the COMT inhibitors tropolone and entacapone. This export was associated with increased synthesis of tHcy because both intracellular and extracellular tHcy concentrations rose during COMT activation. Incubation in cyst(e)ine-deficient medium inhibited the tHcy export response to COMT activation. Exogenous tHcy (100 muM) was accumulated into neurons, but not into astrocytes. We conclude that activation of COMT causes sustained synthesis of Hcy in astrocytes and transport of this amino acid to neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Huang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Bayerlein K, Hillemacher T, Reulbach U, Mugele B, Sperling W, Kornhuber J, Bleich S. Alcoholism-associated hyperhomocysteinemia and previous withdrawal seizures. Biol Psychiatry 2005; 57:1590-3. [PMID: 15953497 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2004] [Revised: 01/25/2005] [Accepted: 01/27/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher homocysteine levels were found in actively drinking alcoholics as well as in early abstinent patients. Furthermore, it has been shown that high homocysteine levels predicted first-onset alcohol withdrawal seizures. The aim of the present study was to determine plasma homocysteine levels in actively drinking alcoholics and patients with early abstinence in order to evaluate whether there is an additional association between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and a history of alcohol withdrawal seizures. METHODS Two groups of patients with an established diagnosis of alcohol dependence were studied. Group A comprised 56 consecutively admitted alcoholics who had been abstinent from alcohol between 24 to 72 hours before hospitalization. Group B consisted of 144 consecutively recruited alcoholics who were admitted - acutely intoxicated - for withdrawal treatment. Furthermore, groups were divided into two subgroups: patients with and without a history of alcohol withdrawal seizures. RESULTS Alcoholics of GROUP B with a history of withdrawal seizures had significantly (p<.0001) higher homocysteine levels than actively drinking patients without seizures in their history: 42.0 micromol/l (SD 26.4) versus 22.5 micromol/l (SD 11.4). Using a logistic regression analysis, history withdrawal seizures in Group B but not in Group A patients were best predicted by a high homocysteine level at admission (Wald chi2=15.5, p<.0001; odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.20). CONCLUSIONS Homocysteine levels on admission may be a useful screening method to identify actively drinking patients with a higher risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Bayerlein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Folbergrová J, Druga R, Otáhal J, Haugvicová R, Mares P, Kubová H. Seizures induced in immature rats by homocysteic acid and the associated brain damage are prevented by group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate. Exp Neurol 2005; 192:420-36. [PMID: 15755559 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2004] [Revised: 11/20/2004] [Accepted: 12/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study has examined the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effect of group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (2R,4R-APDC) in the model of seizures induced in immature 12-day-old rats by bilateral intracerebroventricular infusion of dl-homocysteic acid (DL-HCA, 600 nmol/side). For biochemical analyses, rat pups were sacrificed during generalized clonic-tonic seizures, approximately 45-50 min after infusion. Comparable time intervals were used for sacrificing the pups which had received 2R,4R-APDC. Low doses of 2R,4R-APDC (0.05 nmol/side) provided a pronounced anticonvulsant effect which was abolished by pretreatment with a selective group II mGluR antagonist LY341495. Generalized clonic-tonic seizures were completely suppressed and cortical energy metabolite changes which normally accompany these seizures were either normalized (decrease of glucose and glycogen) or markedly reduced (an accumulation of lactate). EEG recordings support the marked anticonvulsant effect of 2R,4R-APDC, nevertheless, this was only partial. In spite of the absence of obvious motor phenomena, isolated spikes or even short periods of partial ictal activity could be observed. Isolated spikes could also be seen in some animals after application of 2R,4R-APDC alone, reflecting most likely subclinical proconvulsant activity of this agonist. The neuroprotective effect of 2R,4R-APDC was evaluated after 24 h and 6 days of survival following DL-HCA-induced seizures. Massive neuronal degeneration, as revealed by Fluoro-Jade B staining, was observed in a number of brain regions following infusion of DL-HCA alone (seizure group), whereas 2R,4R-APDC pretreatment provided substantial neuroprotection. The present findings support the possibility that group II mGluRs are a promising target for a novel approach to treating epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Folbergrová
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Görtz P, Hoinkes A, Fleischer W, Otto F, Schwahn B, Wendel U, Siebler M. Implications for hyperhomocysteinemia: not homocysteine but its oxidized forms strongly inhibit neuronal network activity. J Neurol Sci 2004; 218:109-14. [PMID: 14759642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2003.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2003] [Revised: 10/28/2003] [Accepted: 11/16/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Severe hyperhomocysteinemia (50-200 microM) often presents itself with acute neuronal dysfunction including seizures and psychosis. Its moderate form (15-50 microM) is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. We investigated the neuropharmacological effects of homocysteine and its oxidized forms, homocysteinesulfinic acid (HCSA) and homocysteic acid (HCA), on neuronal network function utilizing dissociated cortical neurons from embryonic Wistar rats on microelectrode arrays. All substances inhibited dose-dependently and reversibly spontaneous neuronal network activity within seconds: L-HCSA and L-HCA blocked spontaneous spike rate (SSR) significantly at very low concentrations, with an IC50 of 1.9 and 1.3 microM, respectively; whereas the dose-response curve of D,L-homocysteine revealed an IC50 of 401 microM. These effects were antagonized by 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) pointing to the NMDA receptor as mediator of this fast and reversible inhibition of network activity. We conclude that a neuronal dysfunction observed in hyperhomocysteinemia is likely due to HCSA and HCA since effective concentrations of homocysteine are not reached in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Görtz
- Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Ziemińska E, Stafiej A, Łazarewicz JW. Role of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and NMDA receptors in homocysteine-evoked acute neurodegeneration of cultured cerebellar granule neurones. Neurochem Int 2003; 43:481-92. [PMID: 12742095 DOI: 10.1016/s0197-0186(03)00038-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor in neurodegeneration. It has been suggested that apart from disturbances in methylation processes, the mechanisms of this effect may include excitotoxicity mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In this study we demonstrate that apart from NMDA receptors, also group I metabotropic glutamate receptors participate in acute homocysteine (Hcy)-induced neurotoxicity in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurones. Primary neuronal cultures were incubated for 30 min in the Mg(2+)-free ionic medium containing homocysteine and other ligands, and neurodegenerative changes were assessed 24h later using propidium iodide staining. D,L-Homocysteine given alone appeared to be a weak neurotoxin, with EC(50) of 17.4mM, whereas EC(50) for L-glutamate was 0.17 mM. Addition of 50 microM glycine enhanced homocysteine neurotoxicity, and only that portion of neurotoxicity was abolished by 0.5 microM MK-801, an uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist. The net stimulation of 45Ca uptake by granule cells incubated in the presence of 25 mM D,L-homocysteine with 50 microM glycine was only 3% of the net uptake evoked by 1mM glutamate. Application of an antagonist of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) LY367385 at 25 and 250 microM concentrations, induced a dose-dependent partial neuroprotection, whereas given together with MK-801 completely prevented neurotoxicity. In the absence of glycine, LY367385 and MK-801 given alone failed to induce neuroprotection, while applied together completely prevented homocysteine neurotoxicity. Agonist of group I mGluRs, 10 trans-azetidine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (t-ADA) induced significant neurotoxicity. This study shows for the first time that acute homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity is mediated both by group I mGluRs and NMDA receptors, and is not accompanied by massive influx of extracellular Ca(2+) to neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Ziemińska
- Department of Neurochemistry, Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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Erakovićl V, Župan G, Varljen J, Laginja J, Simonić A. Altered Activities of Rat Brain Metabolic Enzymes in Electroconvulsive Shock-Induced Seizures. Epilepsia 2003. [DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2001.4220181.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Folbergrová J, Haugvicová R, Mares P. Seizures induced by homocysteic acid in immature rats are prevented by group III metabotropic glutamate receptoragonist (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine. Exp Neurol 2003; 180:46-54. [PMID: 12668148 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-4886(02)00047-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The potential anticonvulsant effect of group III metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine ((R,S)-PPG) against seizures induced in immature 12-day-old rats by bilateral intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of DL-homocysteic acid (DL-HCA, 600 nmol/side) was examined in the present study. Rat pups were sacrificed during generalized clonic-tonic seizures, approximately 45 to 50 min after infusion. Comparable time intervals were used for sacrificing the pups which had received (R,S)-PPG. Low doses of (R,S)-PPG (10 nmol, icv) provided a pronounced anticonvulsant effect which was abolished by pretreatment with a selective group III mGluR antagonist (R,S)-alpha-methylserine-O-phosphate. Generalized clonic-tonic seizures were completely suppressed and cortical energy metabolite changes which normally accompany these seizures were either normalized (glucose and glycogen decreases) or markedly ameliorated (an accumulation of lactate). Despite the absence of obvious motor phenomena, EEG recordings revealed sporadic ictal activity, mostly in the dorsal hippocampus. Spreading of this activity into the frontal cortex was rather exceptional. The latency of ictal EEG in pretreated rats was significantly prolonged. Our data suggest that the predominant effect of (R,S)-PPG might concern seizure spread. The administration of (R,S)-PPG alone did not cause any overt behavioral side effects; it did not change the EEG pattern and did not influence cortical metabolite levels, with the exception of increased concentrations of glucose. The present findings suggest that group III mGlu receptor agonists may be of therapeutic significance for treating childhood epilepsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslava Folbergrová
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Mares P, Haugvicová R, Kubová H. Interaction of excitatory amino acid agonists with cortical afterdischarges in developing rats. Epilepsia 2002; 43 Suppl 5:61-7. [PMID: 12121297 DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.43.s.5.21.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the role of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) in genesis of two types of epileptic afterdischarges. METHODS Cortical stimulation and recording electrodes were implanted in 12-, 18-, and 25-day-old rats. Epileptic afterdischarges were induced by rhythmic stimulation of sensorimotor cortex. The stimulation was repeated 6 times with 20-min intervals. Ten minutes after the first afterdischarge, N-methyl-d-aspartate, homocysteine, or kainic acid was injected. The doses were chosen individually for different age groups to be subconvulsive. Type and duration of afterdischarges as well as type and severity of motor correlates were evaluated. RESULTS N-methyl-d-aspartate prolonged afterdischarges only in 12-day-old rats, whereas two other drugs did it in all age groups. Motor correlates of afterdischarges were changed to flexion seizures in 12-day-old rats after N-methyl-d-aspartate and homocysteine; in 25-day-old rats homocysteine led to generalized tonic-clonic seizures (i.e., both patterns seen after substantially higher doses of these drugs in nonstimulated rats). Seizures lasted tens of minutes. Kainic acid did not change the motor pattern in any age group, but nonconvulsive EEG seizures were recorded in the interstimulation periods mainly in 18- and 25-day-old rats. Increased transition into the limbic type of afterdischarges appeared only after homocysteine in 18- and 25-day-old rats. CONCLUSIONS A mutual potentiation of epileptic phenomena was induced by two agents. The actions of N-methyl-d-aspartate and kainic acid differ in all age groups; the effects of homocysteine were identical with those of N-methyl-d-aspartate in 12-day-old rats but not later. Only homocysteine augmented transition into the limbic type of afterdischarges.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mares
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences, Videnská 1083, CZ-14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Biancheri R, Cerone R, Rossi A, Schiaffino MC, Caruso U, Minniti G, Perrone MV, Tortori-Donati P, Veneselli E. Early-onset cobalamin C/D deficiency: epilepsy and electroencephalographic features. Epilepsia 2002; 43:616-22. [PMID: 12060021 DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2002.24001.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe epilepsy and EEG findings in the early-onset cobalamin (Cbl) C/D deficiency, an inborn error of intracellular Cbl metabolism characterized by high plasma levels of methylmalonic acid, homocystine, and homocysteine. METHODS Type and frequency of seizures were studied in 10 patients (six boys and four girls) who underwent waking and sleep EEG. RESULTS Half of patients had seizures in the first year of life (either concurrent with the other symptoms of disease or some months after the onset of disease); seizures occurred after 2 years in the other half of patients. Convulsive status epilepticus was the initial manifestation in three patients. During the follow-up, nine patients had seizures (mainly partial) despite specific treatment for Cbl C/D deficiency and antiepileptic drugs. Focal or multifocal epileptiform abnormalities during waking EEG that increased during sleep EEG were recorded in the majority of patients. Plasma levels of homocystine and homocysteine were constantly higher than normal, despite therapy institution. CONCLUSIONS Epilepsy and EEG abnormalities are prominent features in the early-onset type of combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria due to Cbl C/D deficiency, possibly related to the pathologically and persistently high levels of homocysteine, experimentally proven to induce seizures. Plasma amino acids evaluation and urinary acid organic analysis should be performed in any infant showing seizures associated with feeding difficulties and failure to thrive, at onset during the first year of life, as well as in any child with convulsive status epilepticus and a history of psychomotor developmental delay of unknown origin.
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Folbergrová J, Haugvicová R, Mares P. Attenuation of seizures induced by homocysteic acid in immature rats by metabotropic glutamate group II and group III receptor agonists. Brain Res 2001; 908:120-9. [PMID: 11454322 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(01)02620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that selected agonists for metabotropic glutamate group II and group III receptors can provide protection against seizures in adult animals. The present study has examined the potential effect of some of these compounds on seizures induced in immature rats by intracerebroventricular infusion of DL-homocysteic acid (DL-HCA, 600 nmol/side). Rat pups were sacrificed during generalised clonic-tonic seizures, 50--60 min after infusion. Comparable time intervals were used for sacrificing the pups which had received the protective drugs. The anticonvulsant effect was evaluated according to the suppression of behavioural manifestations of seizures and the protection of energy metabolite changes which normally accompany these seizures (large decreases of glucose and glycogen, and approximately 7- to 10-fold accumulation of lactate). Partial protection was exhibited by group II mGluR agonist (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG IV, 0.6 nmol) and this effect was abolished after pretreatment with an antagonist for group II mGluRs (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-tetrazolylphenylglycine (MTPG, 100 nmol). In high doses (5--100 nmol), however, DCG IV evoked seizures which were prevented by AP7, suggesting that the convulsant effect was mediated by interaction with NMDA receptors. A pronounced anticonvulsant effect against DL-HCA-induced seizures was achieved with low doses of a highly selective group II mGluR agonist (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (2R,4R-APDC, 0.6 nmol), group II agonist and group I mGluR antagonist (S)-4-carboxy-3-hydroxyphenylglycine ((S)-4-C3HPG, 0.6 nmol) and group III mGluR agonist (RS)-1-amino-3-(phosphonomethylene) cyclobutane-carboxylic acid (32 nmol). Generalised clonic--tonic seizures were completely suppressed and the metabolic changes were markedly ameliorated, there being only a 1.5-, 2- and 2.5-fold rise of lactate, respectively. Higher doses of (S)-4-C3HPG (1--100 nmol) were, however, less anticonvulsant than low doses. The present results have confirmed that mGluRs may be considered a potential target for treatment of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Folbergrová
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.
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Erakovic V, Zupan G, Varljen J, Laginja J, Simonic A. Altered activities of rat brain metabolic enzymes in electroconvulsive shock-induced seizures. Epilepsia 2001; 42:181-9. [PMID: 11240587 DOI: 10.1046/j.1528-1157.2001.30499.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) induces generalized seizure activity and provides an excellent experimental model for studying the effects of global electrical stimulation on various biochemical parameters. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of a single or repeated ECS-induced seizures on rat brain metabolism. METHODS Experiments were carried out on female Hannover-Wistar rats divided into four groups: (a) the control group, which was intact; (b) the 1ECS group, which was killed 2 h after single ECS; (c) the 5ECS group with 24 h rest, which was killed 24 h after the fifth daily ECS; and (d) the 10ECS group with 48 h rest, which was given ECS every 48 h and killed 24 h after the tenth ECS. Activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) in the frontal cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and pons/medulla regions were determined. RESULTS Increased AST, ALP, LDH, and CK activities were detected in all examined regions of the 1ECS and 5ECS groups. ALT activity was increased in both these groups, except in the hippocampus of the 5ECS group, where increased GGT activity was detected. In the hippocampus of 1ECS group, GLDH activity was decreased. Increased hippocampal AST and cortical CK activities, together with increased LDH activities in the cortex, cerebellum, and pons/medulla, were found. CONCLUSIONS ECS treatment induces region-specific changes in metabolic activity. Neither a 24-h nor a 48-h rest period between two ECSs was sufficient for complete brain recovery, although most of the observed increased enzyme activities present in 1ECS and 5ECS were not present in 10ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Erakovic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical School, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Althausen S, Paschen W. Homocysteine-induced changes in mRNA levels of genes coding for cytoplasmic- and endoplasmic reticulum-resident stress proteins in neuronal cell cultures. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2000; 84:32-40. [PMID: 11113529 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(00)00208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Elevated homocysteine levels have been suggested to contribute to various pathological states of the brain. However, the basic mechanisms underlying homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present series of experiments, we investigated the effect of homocysteine on mRNA levels of genes coding for cytoplasmic- or endoplasmic reticulum-resident stress proteins. Primary neuronal cell cultures were exposed to different homocysteine levels for 1-24 h. Cell injury was evaluated using the MTT assay, protein synthesis was studied by measuring the incorporation of L-[4,5-3H]leucine into proteins, mRNA levels of hsp70, gadd153, grp78, and grp94 were evaluated by quantitative PCR, and changes in protein levels of hsp70, grp78 and grp94 were analyzed by immunoblotting. Exposure of cells to 5 or 10 mM homocysteine for 24 h induced marked cell injury (decrease of viability to 58 or 45% of control respectively). After 6 h treatment, gadd153, grp78 and grp94 mRNA levels increased markedly, but only when cells were exposed to levels of homocysteine high enough to induce cell injury. In addition, hsp70 mRNA levels and protein synthesis were significantly reduced. At earlier (1 or 3 h) or later (12 or 24 h) time intervals, homocysteine exposure induced a marked increase in mRNA levels of all genes studied. GRP78 and GRP94 protein levels were increased in cells exposed to 5 mM homocysteine for 24 h but not in cells exposed to 10 mM homocysteine. HSP70 protein levels, in contrast, were decreased in cells exposed to homocysteine for different periods. The expression of genes coding for ER-resident stress proteins is specifically activated under conditions of ER stress. The close relationship between the extent of cell injury and increase in grp78 mRNA levels suggests that ER dysfunction may contribute to the pathological process. The results imply that the ER is an intracellular target of homocysteine toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Althausen
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, Gleuelerstr. 50, 50931 Köln, Germany
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Santos NF, Marques RH, Correia L, Sinigaglia-Coimbra R, Calderazzo L, Sanabria ER, Cavalheiro EA. Multiple pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in developing rats: a long-term behavioral and electrophysiological study. Epilepsia 2000; 41 Suppl 6:S57-63. [PMID: 10999521 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.2000.tb01558.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Animal models are useful for the study of status epilepticus (SE)-induced epileptogenesis and neurological sequelae, especially during early brain development. Here, we show several permanent abnormalities in animals subjected to multiple SE during early development. METHODS Wistar pup rats (7 to 9 days old) were subjected to three consecutive episodes of SE induced by systemic pilocarpine injections. To study the long-lasting consequences of early-induced SE. chronic electroencephalographic recordings were made from the hippocampus and cortex and several behavioral tests (inhibitory step-down avoidance, rota-rod, open field, elevated plus-maze, and Skinner box) were performed at postnatal days 30 to 90. We also investigated in vitro electrophysiological responses of the CA1 area using extracellular recordings in hippocampal slices. A histological analysis was done using cresyl violet staining 24 hours and several months after SE induction. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL staining) 24 hours after the last SE episode. RESULTS Electroencephalographic recordings from 30- to 90-day-old rats that had been subjected to multiple SE episodes in early life showed marked changes compared with those from nontreated controls. These included frequent episodes of continuous complex spiking activity and high-voltage ictal discharges, with a small percentage of these rats presenting spontaneous behavioral seizures. These animals also presented evidence of severe cognitive deficit in adulthood. In vitro, a persistent hyperexcitability of the CA1 area was detected in experimental animals. Histological analysis of the brains did not reveal any major long-term pathological changes. Nevertheless, an increased number of TUNEL-positive nuclei were present in some animals in both the hippocampus and the thalamus. CONCLUSIONS These data show persistent abnormalities in animals subjected to multiple SE episodes during early postnatal development. SE may result in important plastic changes in critical periods of brain maturation leading to long-lasting epileptogenesis, as manifested by electrographic epileptiform discharges, behavioral deficits, and in vitro hyperexcitability of hippocampal networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- N F Santos
- Laboratório de Neurologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brazil
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Eraković V, Zupan G, Varljen J, Laginja J, Simonić A. Lithium plus pilocarpine induced status epilepticus--biochemical changes. Neurosci Res 2000; 36:157-66. [PMID: 10711813 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-0102(99)00120-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in biochemical mechanisms facilitating cellular damages in the lithium plus pilocarpine treatment and the resulting status epilepticus. The whole brain free fatty acid (FFA) level as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), alanine-aminotransferase, gamma-glutamoyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase in the frontal cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus and pons-medulla region of Hannover-Wistar rats were determined. The control group was intact with no previous experimental history. LiCl (125 mg/kg i.p.) was injected 20 h prior to pilocarpine (30 mg/kg i.p.) and the treated rats were sacrificed 1 or 2 1/2 h after pilocarpine administration. The results show that lithium plus pilocarpine administration and the resulting status epilepticus produced the significant increase of the brain FFA content. Decreased GPX activities were detected in the frontal cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus of the treated rats without the accompanying decrease of SOD activity. Increased AST and LDH activities were observed in the frontal cortex, increased soluble ALP activities in the frontal cortex and pons-medulla region whereas the increased activity of membrane bound ALP was detected in the hippocampus of the rats with status epilepticus. Activities of the other analysed enzymes did not change in the examined brain regions. The presented data indicate clear regional differences of biochemical changes caused by lithium plus pilocarpine treatment and the resulting status epilepticus, frontal cortex being the most affected site.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Eraković
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
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