Caspase 3 expression and neuronal apoptosis induced by recurrent epileptic discharge in cultured hippocampal neurons in rats

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of neuronal loss induced by epileptic discharge in Sombati’s model of cultured hippocampal neurons in rats. Methods: Sombati’s model of cultured hippocampal neurons was established and the discharge was detected with patch clamp. Full-length caspase 3 cDNA was cloned with RT-PCR in rats. Gene expression of caspase 3 and apoptotic neurons in Sombati’s epileptic model was detected with in situ hybridization and flow cytometry. Results: Full-length caspase 3 cDNA in rat was obtained by PCR,whose sequence corresponded to that reported. The expression of caspase 3 in hioppocampal neurons in the model group increased 3 h after recurrent epileptic discharge,while the number of apoptotic neurons in the model group increased 6 h after epileptic discharge. Both parameters were significantly higher than those of control. Conclusion:The epileptic discharge may trigger neuronal caspase 3 expression and neuronal apoptosis may be induced subsequently.