Anti-epileptogenic effect of beta-carotene and vitamin A in pentylenetetrazole-kindling model of epilepsy in mice.
Vitamin A (Vit A) and its derivatives have recently been reported to be implicated in synaptic plasticity. In this study, the possible effect of Vit A and its precursor, beta-carotene on acute seizure and kindling, induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) was assessed. Vit A and beta-carotene were evaluated for their ability to: (1) elevate the threshold of clonic seizures induced by i.v. infusion of PTZ; (2) suppress the seizures (clonic and tonic) and lethality induced by i.p. PTZ in PTZ-kindled mice (anticonvulsant effect); (3) attenuate the development of sensitization to convulsive and lethal effects of i.p. PTZ in kindled mice (anti-epileptogenic effect). Diazepam was employed as positive control. All the drugs showed anti-epileptogenic effect against PTZ-induced tonic seizures and lethality. Vit A and beta-carotene had no effect on clonic seizures threshold and also on tonic seizures and lethality induced by PTZ in kindled mice. Non-genomic and genomic mechanisms could be involved in the anti-epileptogenic effect of Vit A and beta-carotene.
Sayyah
Mohammad
M
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute Pasteur of Iran, Pasteur Avenue, Tehran 13164, Iran. sayyah@pasteur.ir
Yousefi-Pour
Mahyar
M
Narenjkar
Jamshid
J
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole