Effect of Ghrelin on nuclear factor-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cerebral cortex of immature rats with pilocarpine-induced epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To explore the changes of gene and protein expressions of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in immature rats with pilocarpine-induced epilepsy treated with ghrelin. Methods The pllocarpine-induced epilepsy model in immatured rats were built, then the rats were divided into three groups: Ghrelin-treated group, saline-treated group and model group, meanwhile the normal control group was set. The NF-κB and TNF-α levels of gene and protein in the cerebral cortex of immature rats were detected. Results The expression levels of gene and protein of NF-κB and TNF-α were increased in model group,but decreased in the normal control group;NF-κB and TNF-α levels in Ghrelin treated group were obviously lower than those of saline-treated group and model group(P < 0. 05). Conclusion The protective mechanism of Ghrelin for nerve cell is cutting down the expressions of NF-κB and TNF-α in the cerebral cortex of immature rats with epilepsy and lessening inflammatory reaction in neurocytes. Key words: Epilepsy; Cerebral cortex; Pilocarpine; Ghrelin; rats