Systemic injection of lidocaine induced expression of c-fos mRNA and protein in adult rat brain.
Both direct and indirect environmental stress to the brain can increase the expression of transcription factor c-fos in various populations of neurons. In this study, we examined whether the intraperitoneal injections of lidocaine at doses inducing convulsions within 10 min, increased the level of c-fos mRNA and protein in forebrain areas. In in situ hybridization using [35S]UTP-labeled antisense c-fos, cRNA increased c-fos mRNA levels through the hippocampal formation, piriform cortex, septum, caudate-putamen, neostriatum, and amygdala within 2 hr. In parallel with the mRNA expression, c-fos protein immuno-reactivity was also observed in the same forebrain areas. In contrast to the seizure activity and wide-spread neuronal degeneration following kainate treatment, injections of lidocaine did not produce neuronal death within three days. The present study indicates that lidocaine induces convulsions and c-fos expression without causing neurotoxicity.
Chae
H J
HJ
Department of Dental Pharmacology, Wonkwang University School of Dentistry, Iksan, Chonbuk, S. Korea.
Kang
J S
JS
Cho
S B
SB
Jin
B G
BG
Won
S J
SJ
Gwag
B J
BJ
Kim
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D008012:Lidocaine