The effect of connexin mimetic peptides on electrical activity of brain in epileptic rats induced by kainic acid

Objective Gap junction is closely related to epilepsy.The aim of present study is to investigate the effect of specific gap junction blocker,connexin mimetic peptides,on electrical activity of brain in epileptic rats induced by kainic acid.This kind of peptides is designed according to the sequence of connexin43.Methods Eighteen epileptic rats models were established and divided into connexin mimetic peptides group, carbenoxolone group and control group(6 rats in each group).The change of electrical activity of brain before and after administering drug in epileptic rat cortex was recorded by electroencephalogram after the connexin mimetic peptides,carbenoxolone and saline focally administered in vivo.Results The amount of epileptic wave decreased and the amplitude of epileptic wave diminished after administering drug comparing with before administering drug in connexin mimetic peptides group and carbenoxolone group(P0.01).However,there was no apparent change after administering saline comparing with before administering saline in control group.Moreover,the change of the amount and the amplitude of epileptic wave before and after administering drug in connexin mimetic peptides group was similar to the change in carbenoxolone group.There was no statistical significance.Conclusion Synthetic connexin mimetic peptide,which is designed according to the sequence of second out ring section of CX43,can specifically inhibit the epileptic wave.