The expression of cortex microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 and intervention effect of 3-methlyadenine in neonatal rat with recurrent seizures

Objective To investigate dynamic expression of cortex microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC-3) and intervention effect of autophagy/lysosome inhibitor 3-methlyadenine(3-MA) in neonatal rat with recurrent seizures.Methods Seventy-two 6-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into three groups(24 rats in each): recurrent seizures group(RS group),3-MA-treated group(3-MA group),and control group.Rats in RS group were induced to seizures 5 times each day for 9 days with aspiration of flurothyl during the first 12 days of life.Rats in 3-MA group were induced to seizures with the same method,and were treated with intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA before seizure-induction each day(totally 2 μl).The brains of the rats were taken at 1.5,3,6,and 24 h after the last convulsion.Western blot was employed to determine alternations in LC3 in cortex at different time points.Results LC-3 expression was significantly higher in RS group than that of the control group at 1.5,3,and 6 h(P 0.05),while the difference between two groups at 24 hours after seizure was not significant.LC-3 expression decreased significantly in 3-MA group compared with those in RS group at all time points(P 0.01).Conclusions Autophagy/lysosomal pathway were activated immediately after recurrent seizures as indicated by the elevated expression of LC3 in cortex.3-MA was involved in the regulation of autophagy/lysosomal pathway.