Change in expression of GFAP and Fos protein in forebrain of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure in rats

Objective To observe the early morphological response of astrocytes and neurons and their relationship with each other in forebrain of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure in rats. Methods By using the single-labeled immunohistochemical staining method, we investigated the time course of expression of GFAP or Fos in forebrain. The double-labeled immunohistochemical staining for anti-GFAP and anti-Fos was used to investigate the relation of GFAP positive cells and Fos positive cells. Results In the early stage(from 15 to 360 min)of seizure, the astrocytes were activated, its bodies hypertrophied and processes thickened, and expressed GFAP positive. GFAP-like immunoreactivity(-LI) was increased first, then decreased and disappeared finally;Activated Fos-LI neurons and astrocytes were found in the forebrain, and first increased, then decreased and disappeared finally too. GFAP-LI astrocytes and Fos-LI neurons mostly distributed in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and amygdaloid nucleus. Conclusion The present results indicate that the astrocyte together with the neuron may be involved in the early change of seizure.