Dynamic changes of apoptotic of hippocampus in rats upon KA-induced seizures

Objective:To investigate changes of Hippocampus neurons apoptosis cell upon Kainic acid(KA)-induced seizure in rats.Method:We set up an experiment in KA model of limbic seizure in rats,the electroencephalogram(EEG)and behaviour changes of rat were simultaneously observed.The neuronal damage in the CA1section of the hippocampus after seizure was observed by Nissel body stain mothed;Apoptosis was detected by in situ end-labeling of fragmented DNA using the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase reaction(TUNEL);and to explore the changing of numbers of apoptosis cells in rat hippocampus with phenobarbital injection i.c.v.before KA.Result:All rats of KA-induced group exhibited limbic convulsions.The EEG recordings also showed electrical seizure activities.The numbers of apoptosis cell of CA1section significantly increased in rat hippocampus at8h,24h,48h and72h post-KA treatment(P0.01).With phenobarbital injection i.c.v.,the numbers of apoptosis cell of CA1section significantly decreased in rat hippocampus at48h(P0.01).Conclusion:The delayed neuronal deaths after KA-induced seizure were possibly in part caused by apoptosis.The inhibition of neuronal apoptosis was assumed to be a neuroprotective mechanism of stoping seizure as early as possible.