Change of JNK phosphorylation in the hippocampus of amygdala-kindled rats

Objective To investigate the change of phosphorylation of JNK in the hippocampus of epilepsy rats kindled by chronic electrical stimulation in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala. Method Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:15 in blank control group,15 in sharn group and 50 in kindling group.The amygdala of the rats in the kindling group was stimulated with constant pulse current. Rats'seizures and electroencephalogram were recorded throughout the stimulation process.JNK phosphorylation level in the rat hippocampus was detected by Western blot. TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical staining of GFAP were performed to evaluate the neuronal death and gliosis in the hippocampus. Results Thirty-six rats were kindled successfully 12 to 20 days after the kindling began.The level of JNK phosphorylafion in the hippocmnpns was significantly higher in kindled rats(2.39±0.14)than those in other two groups(1.13±0.06 in the sham group,1.11±0.77in control group)(P 0.05).Expression of GFAP in the hippocampus of kindled rats was significantly stronger than those in the blank control group and in the sham group(P<0.05).TUNEL staining positive cells in the hippocampus of kindled rats were significantly more than those in the blank control group and in the sham group(P<0.05).Conclusions The level of JNK phosphorylation in the hippocampns increases in the amygdala kindled rats.JNK signal transductiou pathway may be involved in the process of hippocampal sclerosis in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Key words: Epilepsy; Kindling; Amygdala; Hippocampus; JNK