Expression of growth-associated protein-43 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus of rats kindled by pentyenetrazol

Aim:To observe the effects of topiramate(TPM) on the mRNA and protein expression of growth associated protein-43(GAP-43) in the hippocampus of pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-kindled rats.Methods:Forty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10).The rats of model group were given normal saline at 10 mL/kg by gavage;the rats of low TPM group and high TPM group were given 10 g/L TPM at 40 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg,respectively by gavage;the rats of control group were given the same amount of normal saline as other groups daily.After 1 h,the rats in first 3 groups were given PTZ to build up epilepsy model,and the rats in control group were given the same amount of normal saline.When the spasm of rats in the first 3 groups reached kindling,the expression of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in the dentate gyrus(DG),CA1,CA3 regions of hippocampus were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry,respectively.Results:Compared with control group,the expression level of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in model group,low TPM group and high TPM group were higher(P0.05);compared with model group,the expression level of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in low TPM group and high TPM group were lower(P0.05).Conclusion:The increased GAP-43 expression in the hippocampus of the rats after PTZ injection indicates the changes in the neuronal plasticity are probably related to forming the abnormal discharge circuit,and finally inducing the seizures in rats.TPM can prevent the GAP-43 overexpression in the hippocampus of the PTZ-induced epilepsy rats,and the inhibitory action is not related to the dose.