The effect of valproic acid and furosemide on the regulation of the inflammasome complex (NLRP1 and NLRP3 mRNA) in the brain of epileptic animal model

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the effect of concomitant use of Furosemide (FRS) and Valproic acid (VPA), demonstrating anti-inflammation efficacy, on epilepsy, and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups including, Group 1: (Normal) rats received no drugs, Group 2: (E): rats were administered with a single dose of kainic acid (stereotaxic surgery), Group 3: (E + VPA): rats received Valproic acid (200 mg/kg/day/orally), Group 4: (E + FRS): rats received a single dose of Furosemide (100 mg/kg/I.P.) 30 min before epilepsy induction, Group 5: (E + VPA (200 mg/Kg)+FRS (100 mg/Kg, combination treatment). The treatment group received VPA for 14 days. We assessed seizures based on modified Racine΄s scores and conducted the electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. NLRP1 and NLRP3 mRNA levels, Apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), absence in melanoma2 (AIM2) protein expression levels, and apoptosis rate of the brain cells were analyzed utilizing real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and tunnel assay, respectively. RESULTS: The results revealed that FRS and VPA treatment, alone or in combination, improved behavioral outcome and reduced seizure intensity in epileptic rats. The combination therapy significantly decreased the apoptosis rate NLRP1 and NLRP3 gene as well as ASC and AIM2 protein expression levels. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy protected the brain against neuronal damages in rats, and decreased the severity of epilepsy in K.A. induced rats. Reducing inflammation and apoptosis and improving the performance of behavioral testing in the K.A. induced epilepsy model increased the likelihood of success of combination therapy compared with VPA and FRS treatment alone.