Correlation of glutamate content and neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus of epilepsy rats

Objective To study the correlation of glutamate content and neuron apoptosis in the CA3 area of the hippocampus of epilepsy rats.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into epilepsy group and control group.After intracerebroventricular injection of kainic acid 2μg/kg,the rats in epilepsy group were divided into subgroups of 6h,1d,3d and 7d with 8 rats each.The rats in control group were injected the same volume of water as in the epilepsy group.The glutamate content was assayed by high efficiency liquid chromatography and neuron apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometery and TUNEL.Correlation between glutamate content and neuron apoptosis in the CA3 area of the hippocampus of epilepsy rats was analyzed.Results Neuron apoptosis and glutamate content were increased in 6h group,reached peak level in 3d group,and then decreased in 7d group.The glutamate content and neuron apoptosis in the CA3 area of hippocampus of epilepsy rats were closely correlated.Conclusion Neuron apoptosis of hippocampus is increased in acute stage of epilepsy rats indicating that brain damage may be reduced by early use of the drugs inhibiting glutamate.