Effect of leptin on behavior and Bcl2 protein expression in rats with neonatal seizures

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effects of leptin on neonatal seizure in rats by behavioral tests and Bcl2 expression. Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into four groups: control group, leptin group, RS group and RS+ leptin group on postnatal day 6(P6), 5 rats in each group. From P6 to P12, repeated neonatal seizure model was induced by flurothyl in RS and RS+ leptin group rats. From P13 to P22, leptin (2 mg·kg-1·day-1) was administered by intraperitoneal injection in leptin group and RS+ leptin group rats. Forelimb hanging test and open field test were implemented on P30.Bcl2 expression was detected by western blot on P34. Results (1) Neurobehavioral tests: the time of forelimb suspension in RS group((7.10±1.02) s)was significantly shorter (P<0.05) than the control group((15.95±6.11)s) and the time of forelimb suspension in RS+ leptin group((13.90±2.64) s)was significant longer (P<0.05) than the RS group.In open field test, the number of horizontal movement in RS group(119.80±28.83)was significantly reduced (P<0.05) than that in the control group(191.00±37.27) and the number of horizontal movement in RS+ leptin group(164.20±26.46) was increased than that in the RS group, but the difference was not significant. The number of modification and stool in RS group was significantly increased (P<0.05) than that in the control group and the number of modification and stool in RS+ leptin group was significantly reduced (P<0.05) than that in the RS group.(2)Western blot: the expression of Bcl2 in RS group (0.24±0.07), leptin group(0.89±0.09)and RS+ leptin group(0.56±0.07)was significantly decreased compared with control group(1.02±0.01) (P<0.05), and the expression of Bcl2 in RS + leptin group was significantly increased compared with RS group (P<0.05). Conclusion Leptin improves the brain injury induced by flurothyl on neonatal rats by Bcl2 signaling pathway. Key words: Leptin; Seizure; Bcl2; Brain injury