Effect of pregabalin on apoptotic regulatory genes in hippocampus of rats with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of pregabalin on the expression of Bcl⁃2 and Bax in hippocampus of chronic epileptic rats induced by pilocarpine, to explore the anti⁃epileptic pharmacology mechanism of pregabalin, and its anti ⁃ apoptotic effect on hippocampal neurons of rats. Methods The model of chronic temporal lobe epileptic rats induced by lithium⁃pilocarpine was established, then the rats in pregabalin treatment group received intraperitoneal injection of pregabalin (40 mg/kg) once daily for three weeks. The expression of Bcl⁃2 and Bax in hippocampus of all rats was detected by immunohistochemical technique and Western blotting. Results Compared with normal saline group rats, the expression of Bcl⁃2 and Bax in hippocampus of rats with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy was significantly increased (P = 0.000, for all). Pregabalin can down⁃regulate the expression of Bax and up⁃regulate the expression of Bcl⁃2 in hippocampus of rats compared to model group rats (P = 0.000, for all). Conclusion Pregabalin may have the effects of inhibiting cell apoptosis and protecting neurons through lowing Bax level and increasing Bcl⁃2 level in hippocampus of chronic temporal lobe epileptic rats. DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.02.018