Changes In Cytokines And Glucocorticoid Receptor MRNA Expression In The Basolateral Amygdala Electrical Kindled Epilepsy Rat

[Objectives] Establishing the basolateral amygdala electrical (BLA) kindled rat epilepsy model, exploring the making method and applied value of it, the objective of this experiment was to discuss the roles of the neuro-immune-endocrine network in epilepsy, by studying the change rule and function of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-2 in epilepsy rats.[Methods] Bipolar electrodes were implanted in BLA in rats, through which the rats received chronic electrical stimuli for kindling. Their seizure processes and behavior changes were observed, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recording were performed under free state during kindling and after kindled. At the end, hippocampi were extracted and blood was sampled from kindled rats and, GR, IL-6 and IL-2 mRNA in hippocami and GR mRNA in PBMC were analyzed with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Control group, sham group and remedy groups were arranged for comparison, which seizure processes were observed, and the electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were performed as well.[Results] Twenty five of 29 stimulated rats were kindled, for which mean stimuli needed was 12.64+4.12, and for produce 5 stage seizure 8.64+4.12. Their afterdischarge duration (ADD) recorded were between 21,450 ms and 119,720 ms. The experiment also found that the kindled rats were more irritable and their defense grade was higher than the control and sham groups. (Seizure processes would be showed by computer multimedia).Significant downregulate of GR mRNA and upregulate of IL-6 mRNA was found in kindled rats, which can be abated or reversed by some AEDs companied with improving of seizure and EEG No expression of IL-2 mRNA was detected in all groups. The expression of GR in hippocampus did not consistent with that in PBMC.[Conclusions] Since it is convenient to observe in many way and that, it strongly resembles the human epilepsy, the BLA electrical kindled rat model is a favorable tool for research of the genesis, treatment and prevent of epilepsy.Disorder in the regular of the neuro-immune-endocrine network was existent in epilepsy animal, when GR mRNA in hippocampus downregulated and IL-6 mRNA upregulated, which possibly participate in the course of kindling. AEDs can make themrecovery in a certain extent, which mey be favor of keeping the normal function of neural cell. No endogenous IL-2 mRNA expressed evidently in hippocampus 24 hour after seizure. There are differences between the regulate mechanisms of GR mRNA expression in hippocampus and which in PBMC, thereinto the expression of GR mRNA in hippocampus maybe influenced by other factors such as neuron excitability besides the autoregulation, so detecting the GR in PBMC can not reflects the expression of GR in hippocampus.