Investigation of the Effect of Anakinra on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures in Mice

Abstract

Purpose: Disruption of the balance between gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain is one of the important factors contributing to seizure formation and epileptogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine whether anakinra pretreatment has an effect on cortical and hippocampal GABA and glutamate levels in a seizure model induced with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Materials and Methods: In the study, 18 BALB-c type mice were divided into 3 groups as Control, PTZ, and Anakinra groups. An injection of 60 mg/kg PTZ was administered intraperitoneally to mice to induce seizures. Anakinra group was administered intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) 30 minutes before PTZ injection. The cortical and hippocampal GABA and glutamate levels of the animals were measured using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: PTZ-induced seizures led to a decrease in the hippocampal GABA level (p<0.05), while the glutamate level increased (p<0.001). The treatment of PTZ also increased the level of cortical glutamate (p<0.05). The pretreatment with anakinra led to a decrease in the hippocampal glutamate level (p<0.001), but increased GABA level (p<0.01). In addition, the pretreatment with anakinra cause to decrease the level of cortical glutamate (p<0.05), while the GABA level increased (p<0.001). Conclusion: PTZ-induced seizures cause a decrease in GABA levels and an increase in glutamate levels in the brain. Anakinra treatment prior to PTZ injection ameliorates the GABA/Glutamate imbalance that has shifted to the excitation side in the brains of mice.

Keywords

• anakinra
• gaba
• glutamate
• pentylenetetrazole