title: [Effects of levetiracetam on the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on the expression of nerve cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy induced by lithium-pilocarpine (Li-PILO) in order to provide a basis for investigating the antiepileptic mechanism of LEV and its doseresponse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a Li-PILO model and two LEV treatment groups (LEV: 150 and 300 mg/kg) (n=12 each). The LEV treatment groups received LEV by intragastric administration 6 hrs after status epilepticus (once daily for 2 two weeks). The expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus was determined by real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the Li-PILO model group was significantly higher than in the normal control group (P<0.05). LEV treatment of 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA compared with the Li-PILO model group (P<0.05). The LEV treatment group at the dose of 300 mg/kg showed significantly lower expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA than the 150 mg/kg LEV treatment group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Li-PILO can up-regulate the expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy. LEV can inhibit the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA and the effect is associated with the dose of LEV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China. JIM226@sina.com
authors.forename: Tian-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000235:genetics*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam