The expression of Cx32 and Cx43 in the hippocampus of PTZ-kindled epileptic rats

Objective: To investigate the changes of neurons, astrocytes and their connexin in PTZ-kindled rats as well as the effect of carbenoxolone (CBX) on gap junction. Methods: Totally 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal saline (NS) group, kindled (K) group and KCBX group, with 10 rats in each. NS group rats were intraperitoneally injected (i.p.) with saline daily. Rats in KCBX group and K group received PTZ [i.p. 35 mg/kg·d)] to establish epilepsy model of kindled rats. After kindling, KCBX group rats were injected with CBX (i.p. 10 mg/kg) and K group rats NS for three days. Seizure changes were analyzed for all the groups. Immunohistochemistry method was used to observe the expressions of Cx32 and Cx43 in the hippocampus of the rats. Results: Spontaneous seizures appeared in PTZ-kindled epileptic rats. Accumulative times of seizures were significantly fewer in KCBX group rats than in K group rats (P<0.05). The expressions of Cx32 and Cx43 increased significantly in the hippocampus of K group rats, but decreased in KCBX group rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: Gap junction blocker CBX inhibits not only the expressions of Cx32 and Cx43 but also epileptic activity, suggesting that gap junction may play an important role in the occurrence and development of epilepsy.

Duke Scholars

Author Li Lan Molecular Genetics and Microbiology