Effects of cyclosporin A on glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus in rat seizure induced by pentylenetrazol

Objective:To study the effects of cycolsporin A(CsA) on glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression in hippocampal astrocytes of chronic kindling rats induced by pentylenetrazol(PTZ) and observe the change of the rat behavior.Methods:Seventy-two healthy Wistar rats were randomized into three equal groups,Group N,Group P and Group C.Group P and Group C were injected with 35mg/kg PTZ by intraperitoneal every day;Group C was injected with 10mg/kg CsA by vena caudalis every three days.The GFAP expression was determined by immunohistochemical technique in the hippocampi of the rats of each group at 4,7 and 14 days.Results:The reactive gliosis in the hippocamus was found before the occurrence of PTZ-induced seizure in the Group P,significantly different from those in the Group N and Group C(P0.01);the reactive gliosis in the Group C was less than that of Group P,significantly different from those in the Group N(P0.05).Conclusion:In the process of chronic kindling induced by PTZ,the GFAP expression in the hippocampal is gradually increased,finally inducing epileptogenesis;CsA can reduce gliosis in the hippocamus,and therefore,CsA can prevent epileptogenesis.