Investigation of anti-epileptic mechanisms of 5HT1A receptor with pentylenetetrazole induced epilepsy model in rats

Abstract

Objective: According to current neurophysiological evidence, the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in epileptic seizure formation is still not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 5-HT 1A receptor on epileptic seizure with pentylenetetrazole induced epilepsy in rats. Method: In this study, 28 male Wistar Albino rats weighing 240-260 g were used. Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 35 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected to the rats to induce epilepsy and seizure stages were determined according to the Racine scale. Electrodes were placed in the skulls of the animals under stereotaxis for ECoG recording. All the experimental animals were sacrificed by decapitation after ECoG and video recordings. GABA level was measured using the Elisa kit from brain tissues, and c-Fos expression was shown immunohistochemically. Results: According to the results, it was shown that 8-OH-DPAT increased the time of initial myoclonic jerk (FMJ (p<0.05). However, the number of epileptic spikes was reduced by 8-OH-DPAT (p<0.05). GABA levels decreased in PTZ group (p<0.05). 8-OH-DPAT and WAY-100135 decreased c-Fos expression in all hippocampal areas (p<0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, 5-HT 1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, showed an anti-epileptic effect. The anti-epileptic effects of 5-HT 1A receptor were found to be inconsistent with changes in GABA level. c-Fos expression is a marker of neuronal activation and may be related to the anti-convulsive effect of 5-HT 1A receptor.