Losmapimod Protected Epileptic Rats From Hippocampal Neuron Damage Through Inhibition of the MAPK Pathway

Min Li; Lexiang Cui; Xuemin Feng; Chao Wang; Yinmeng Zhang; Lijie Wang; Ying Ding; Teng Zhao

doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00625

Frontiers in Pharmacology (Jun 2019)

Losmapimod Protected Epileptic Rats From Hippocampal Neuron Damage Through Inhibition of the MAPK Pathway

Min Li,
Lexiang Cui,
Xuemin Feng,
Chao Wang,
Yinmeng Zhang,
Lijie Wang,
Ying Ding,
Teng Zhao

Affiliations

Min Li: Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
Lexiang Cui: Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
Xuemin Feng: Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
Chao Wang: Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
Yinmeng Zhang: Major in Clinical Medicine, Medical College of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
Lijie Wang: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, General Hospital of FAW, Fourth Hospital of Jilin University, Changchuan, China
Ying Ding: Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
Teng Zhao: Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.00625
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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Objective: This research aimed to validate the therapeutic effect of losmapimod and explore the underlying mechanism in its treatment of epilepsy.Methods: A rat model of epilepsy was constructed with an injection of pilocarpine. Microarray analysis was performed to screen aberrantly expressed mRNAs and activated signaling pathways between epileptic rats and normal controls. A TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to identify cell apoptosis. Hippocampal cytoarchitecture was visualized with Nissl staining. The secretion of inflammatory factors as well as the marker proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were detected by Western blot. A Morris water maze navigation test evaluated the rats’ cognitive functions.Results: Activation of the MAPK signaling pathway was observed in epilepsy rats. A decrease in the MAPK phosphorylation level by application of losmapimod protected against epilepsy by reducing neuron loss. Losmapimod effectively improved memory, reduced the frequency of seizures, protected the neuron from damage, and limited the apoptosis of neurons in epilepsy rats.Conclusion: The application of losmapimod could partly reverse the development of epilepsy.

Published in Frontiers in Pharmacology

ISSN: 1663-9812 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology

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