Abstract:

Objective    To explore the correlation and dynamic changes of protein expressions of nNOS, iNOS and activated Caspase-3 after status epilepticus (SE). Methods       The animal model was established by lithium-pilocarine induction in rats. 2h, 6h, 3d and 7d after SE, variations of expressions of nNOS, iNOS and activated Caspase-3 proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot, respectively. Results    Expression of the nNOS protein significantly increased 2h  after SE(P<0.01), reached its peak at 6h (P<0.01), and decreased thereafter. However, expressions of the nNOS protein on 3d and 7d were still significantly higher compared with the control group (P<0.01). Expression of the iNOS protein was significantly up-regulated 6h after SE(P<0.01), and reached its peak on 3d (P<0.01). Expression of the activated Caspase-3 protein significantly increased 3d  after SE(P<0.01), and reached its peak on 7d (P<0.01). Conclusion     Expressions of nNOS, iNOS and activated Caspase-3 proteins are up-regulated at different levels in the rat hippocampus at different times after SE, suggesting that the activation of Caspase-3 may be involved in the excitotoxic effect induced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS)  and apoptosis could be closely related to neuron injury.

Key words: Status epilepticus; Models, animal; Hippocampus; Caspase protein; Nitric oxide synthase; Apoptosis; Rat, Wistar