Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression of Hippocampal Astrocytes in Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Rat Model

Objective: To observe glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression in hippocampal astrocytes in iron-induced epilepsy rat model. Methods:Rats were given an amygdaloid body injection of ferric chloride, and GFAP expression was determined over time using immunofluorexcent methods in hippocampal tissue slices. Results: the intensity of GFAP-staining changed with different time intervals(1-30d)after iron injection, the strongest intensity was on 7-15d, the staining intensity still increased obviously on 30d. Neurons lost largely in stratum pyramid in CA1 of injection lateral. Conclusionlron-induced epileptogenesis involves proliferation and hypertrophy of GFAP-positive astrocytes that may lead to abnormal neural circuits formation and chronic epilepsy recurring.