Antioxidant effect of nimodipine in young rats after pilocarpine-induced seizures.
Nimodipine (ND) is a centrally active calcium antagonist that blocks the voltage-dependent L-type channels. Its antiepileptic properties have been proved in various animal models, including pilocarpine-induced seizures in adult rats. In order to investigate protective effects of the ND (10 (ND10) and 30 mg/kg (ND30), i.p.), young male rats (21-day-old) received ND injections before pilocarpine administration (400 mg/kg, s.c., pilocarpine group (P400)). The pretreatment with ND10 and ND30 prolonged the latencies of seizures and death on this seizure model. ND pretreatment in two doses decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation when compared to pilocarpine group. The P400 administration increased the striatal catalase activity. However, the administration of ND, in dose of 30 mg/kg, 30 min before pilocarpine, preserved catalase activity in normal levels. On the other hand, no change was detected in the animals treated with the dose of 10 mg/kg. Our results confirm the neuroprotective effect of ND on the seizures in young rats, suggesting that this drug acts positively on lipid peroxidation. Our observations shows that nimodipine cannot induces these effects via blockade of Ca(2+)-channel.
Nascimento
Viviane S
VS
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará. Rua Cel. Nunes de Melo 1127, 60431-270, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
D'alva
Márcia S
MS
Oliveira
Aline A
AA
Freitas
Rivelilson M
RM
Vasconcelos
Silvânia M M
SM
Sousa
Francisca C F
FC
Fonteles
Marta M F
MM
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000975:Antioxidants; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010862:Pilocarpine; D009553:Nimodipine; D002374:Catalase