Neuroprotective effect of chronic infusion of basic fibroblast growth factor on seizure-associated hippocampal damage.
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of ischemia. To determine whether bFGF is protective against seizure-induced brain damage, we administered bFGF through osmotic pumps prior to, and after treatment with kainic acid (KA). Recombinant bFGF, CS23, a modified human bFGF, was infused into the lateral ventricles in rats for 2 days before and 5 days after the injection of KA. Control rats received equal volumes of phosphated saline over the same period of time. Infusion of 5 micrograms/ml of bFGF (0.5 microliter/h) did not modify the latency and duration of seizures induced by intraperitoneal injections of KA. However, bFGF prevented cell loss in the hippocampus in 80% of the rats. In control rats, cell loss in the hippocampus was found in all rats. These results indicate that bFGF has a substantial neuroprotective effect.
Liu
Z
Z
Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
D'Amore
P A
PA
Mikati
M
M
Gatt
A
A
Holmes
G L
GL
D000818:Animals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007608:Kainic Acid; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000473:pathology*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D007608:Kainic Acid