A Study Of Neuroprotective Effects Of Erythropoietin On The Rats With Epilepsy Induced By Pentylenetetrazol

[Objective] To evaluate neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) at different timepoints before and after seizures.[Methods]Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats,age 4-5 weeks,were randomized divided into six groups : the experimental groups (group A-E, n=50) were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) 50mg/kg, and the control group (group F, n=10) was injected IP with the same volume of normal saline. The former groups were randomized subdivided into the epileptic group(group A,n=10)and the intervention groups(groups B-E, n=40) which were injected IP with rhEPO 5000 U/ kg ,24h ahead of EP(group B, n=10),0h after EP (group C, n=10) ,6h after EP (group D, n=10),9h after EP (group E, n=10).Rats were sacrificed 24h after seizure, including group F,then the hippocampus were resected for measuring the levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE),Myelin basic protein(MBP)and protein S100βusing enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Envision two steps immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of NSE,MBP and S100βin the hippocampus of rats.[Results](1) EthologyThe rats in group A-E were successfully induced by PTZ,and showed typically seizures. Group F had no behavior abnormality. Pretreated with rhEPO 24h ahead of EP could significantly attenuate seizure severity compared with epileptic group(P<0.01).(2)The level of NSE in hippocampus.The levels of NSE in group A and group E were significantly increased compared with group B,C,D and F(P<0.001).No statistically differences were found among group B,C,D and F( P>0.05).(3) The level of S100βin hippocampus.The levels of protein S100βin group A and group E were significantly increased compared with group B,C,D and F(P<0.001).No other significant differences were found among group B,C,D and F( P>0.05). (4) The level of MBP in hippocampus.The levels of MBP in group A and group E were significantly increased compared with group B,C,D and F(P<0.001).No other significant differences were found among group B,C,D and F( P>0.05).(5) The expression of NSE,S100β,MBP immunoreactivity of rats hippocampus were ranged from +++ to -,with the strongest expression in group A,and the lightest expression in group F.(6) The level of EPO in serumNo significant differences were found among group A-F( P>0.05).[Conclusions]1. The study suggested that pretreated with rhEPO might have anti-epileptic and neuroprotective effects on epilepsy rats induced by PTZ.2. The neuroprotective effects of rhEPO were better while EPO was given within 6h after seizure.