Antiepileptic Effect of Vitamin E on Kainic Acid-induced Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Rats

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease with the prevalence of around one percent. Despite the introductions of several anti-epileptic drugs, around 1/3 of epileptic patients are resistant to the anti-epileptic medications. Objectives: Considering the evidence regarding the anti-oxidant action of Vitamin E and its beneficiary effect in the treatment of epilepsy, we investigated the anti-convulsive effect of Vitamin E in a rat model of kainic acid-induced epilepsy. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats were divided to five groups (sham, Vit E, epileptic, epileptic treated with Vit E and epileptic treated with valproic acid). Epilepsy was induced by intra hippocampal injection of 4 microgram of kainic acid. Rats receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of Vit E (100 mg/kg) or valproic acid (200 mg/kg) in the week preceding the surgery. Intensity of epileptic convulsions was graded using Racine’s criteria. Results: No convulsions were observed in the sham-Vit E groups. Widespread convulsions were observed in the kainic acid-treated group. Intensity of convulsions was significantly reduced in the epileptic rats receiving either Vit E or valproic acid (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Pre-treatment with Vit E decreases the convulsion intensity in kainic acid-induced epilepsy in rats.