title: Oxidative stress induced by epileptic seizure and its attenuation by melatonin.
abstract: An epileptic seizure and postictal period in addition to well-known features are also characterized by massive consumption of energy. This is thought to lead to oxidative stress and increased generation of free radicals, which is reflected by increased levels of oxidative products. Our previous work described the neuroprotective effects of melatonin in preventing cognitive worsening after a single epileptic seizure. This work was aimed on direct measurement of free radicals in brain tissue using the EPR method 1, 15 and 60 minutes after seizure. The measurement was performed in adult male Wistar rats at the mentioned intervals after a single tonic-clonic seizure induced by flurothyl. In comparison to control animals there was a significant increase in hydroxyl and nitroxyl radicals 60 minutes after the seizure. The levels of hydroxyl radicals were significantly lower in animals that received melatonin 60 minutes before seizure induction compared to animals without preventive treatment. Therefore, melatonin affected the generation of the measured free radicals differently. An important finding was the delayed increase in free radicals after a single seizure in the later phases of recovery.
authors: Department of Normal Pathological and Clinical Physiology, Prague, Czech Republic. jan.mares@lf3.cuni.cz.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Mareš
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Stopka
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Nohejlová
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rokyta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; C039900:nitroxyl; D008550:Melatonin