Basic Research
Influences of anterior thalamic nucleus stimulation on neurogenesis in hippocampus of epileptic rats
Lin Shi, Jialin Zhou, Guanyu Zhu, Yingchuan Chen
Published 2018-06-20
Cite as Chin J Behav Med & Brain Sci, 2018, 27(6): 481-486. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-6554.2018.06.001
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the influences of anterior thalamic nucleus (ANT) stimulation on neurogenesis in hippocampus of epileptic rats.
MethodsThirty-two male SD rats were randomly allocated to normal-control group(n=8), control-stimulation group(n=8), sham-stimulation group(n=8) and model-stimulation group(n=8). Eqileptic SD rat model was established by using microinjection of kainic acid in hippocampal CA3 area, and administered 48 h continuous ANT stimulation in the chronic stage.Epileptic seizures were monitored and counted.The levels of Ki-67, a neurogenesis protein in hippocampus was determined by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
ResultsThe epilepsy seizure rate was (5.9±2.2) per week in the sham-stimulation group and (2.9±1.1) per week in model-stimulation group.Compared with sham-stimulated rats, ANT stimulation reduced seizures by 50.8% (P<0.05). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative levels of Ki-67 in the hippocampus of model-stimulation group significantly higher than that of the sham-stimulation group((0.44±0.15) vs (0.19±0.73), P<0.05). qRT-PCR analysis showed that relative levels of Ki-67 mRNA in the hippocampus of model-stimulation group were significantly higher than that of the sham-stimulation group((0.45±0.10) vs (0.15±0.06), P<0.05).
ConclusionChronic ANT stimulation can promote neurogenesis in epileptic rats, which may be a principle mechanism of the beneficial effect of ANT stimulation on epilepsy.
Key words:
Anterior thalamic nucleus; Electrical stimulation; Neurogenesis; Epilepsy
Contributor Information
Lin Shi
Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100050, China
Jialin Zhou
Department of Medicament, Beijing No.6 Hospital, Beijing 100007, China
Guanyu Zhu
Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100050, China
Yingchuan Chen
Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100050, China