Mitochondrial ultrastructural damage and caspase-3 expression in the neurons of hippocampal CA_3 subarea during kainic acid induced status epilepticus in rats

Objective: To observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure damage and caspase-3 expression in the neurons of hippocampal CA_3 subarea during kainic acid(KA) induced status epilepticus(SE).Methods: SE was induced in adult male Wistar rats with KA,and then 3,6,and 24 hours later,the brain sections were made.The mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed with electron microscope,and the caspase-3 expression was examined by immunohistochemical staining.Result: Mitochondrial ultrastructure damage could be seen,from swelling to the rupture of membrane 3 hours after SE,whereas caspase-3 expression appeared 6 hours after SE and increased significantly at the 24-hour point after SE.Conclusion: Mitochondrial ultrastructure is damaged in the early period of the experimental SE rats,and the caspase-3 expression appeared a few hours later.