53 Magnesium sulfate affords neuroprotection in an eclampsia-like model induced in pregnant rats by ameliorating brain edema and neuroinflammation

Abstract

Introduction Eclampsia is defined as the onset of grand mal seizures on the basis of preeclampsia. Presently, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is the most effective drug in treating elcamptic seizure, but the mechanism how (MgSO4) prevents eclampsia is still unclear. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of (MgSO4) on an eclampsia-like seizure model and explore the related mechanism. Methods We investigated the effects of (MgSO4) on brain edema, neuronal loss and neuroinflammation following pentylenetetrazol-induced eclampsia-like seizure in a rat model of preeclampsia. Brain water content was measured for assessing brain edema; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for detecting the cerebrospinal fluid levels of S100-B and Ferritin which are associated with neuroinflammation; nissl staining was used for detecting neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1), immunofluorescence staining of Iba-1 and GFAP was used for detecting the density of microglia and astrocytes in the CA1 area. Results Our results revealed that (MgSO4) effectively attenuated brain edema, and significantly decreased the cerebrospinal fluid levels of S100-B and Ferritin; Furthermore, MgSO4 statistically ameliorated neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 area and inhibited the increase of microglia and astrocytes following eclampsia-like seizure. Conclusions Magnesium sulfate administration prevented neuronal loss in our rat model of eclampsia possiblely by causing a reduction in brain edema and neuroinflammation.