Evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins Expression in the Rat Hippocampus due to Childhood Febrile Seizure

How to Cite This Article: Saeedi Borujeni MJ, Hami J, Haghir H, Rastin M, SazegarGh. Evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 Proteins Expression in the Rat Hippocampus due to childhood Febrile Seizure. Iran J Child Neurol. Winter 2016; 10(1):53-60.AbstractObjectiveSimple Febrile Seizure (SFS) is the most common seizure disorder in childhood, and is frequently described as inoffensive disorder. Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting the association between neonatal febrile seizures and hippocampal abnormalities in adulthood. This study was conducted at evaluating the hippocampal expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins following SFS induction in rat neonates.Materials & MethodsFebrile seizure was modeled by hyperthermia-induced seizure in 22-dayold male rats by a hot water bath. The animals were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of seizure behaviors: Hyperthermia without seizure (n=10) and hyperthermia with seizure (n=10). To control the effects of environmental stress a sham-control group was also added (n=10). The rats’ hippocampi were dissected 2 or 15 days after hyperthermia. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were measured using Western Blotting technique.ResultsThe hippocampal expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly lower in the hyperthermia with seizure animals than that of the sham-control and hyperthermia without seizure groups. The expression of pro-apoptotic Bax protein also significantly increased in the hippocampus of hyperthermia with seizure group rats compared to the sham-control and hyperthermia without seizure animals.ConclusionThe simple febrile seizure markedly disturbed the hippocampal expression of both Bcl2 and Bax proteins, resulting in apoptosis promotion in hippocampi of juvenile rats, which were measurable for at least 15 days

The effects of simple febrile seizure on apoptosis molecular alterations in hippocampus of rat neonates

Objective: Febrile seizures are the most common seizure disorder in childhood, and occur in 2-5% of children. While simple febrile seizures are frequently described as inoffensive disorder there are evidence suggesting the association between simple febrile seizures and hippocampal abnormalities in adulthood. This study was designed to evaluate the protein levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in the rat neonates’ hippocampus due to Simple Febrile Seizure. Materials & Methods: Febrile seizure was modeled by hyperthermia-induced seizure in 22-day-old male rats using a hot water bath. Animals were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of seizure behaviours: Hyperthermia without seizure (n=10) and Hyperthermia with seizure (n=10). To control the effects of environmental stress a sham-control group was also added to the study (n=10). The rats’ hippocampi were removed 15 days after hyperthermia. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins were measured using Western Blotting technique. Results: Our results showed that the protein levels of Bcl-2 were significantly lower in hippocampus of hyperthermia with seizure group rats than that of the sham-control and Hyperthermia without seizure groups. Whereas, the levels of Bax protein i hippocampi of hyperthermia with seizure group animals showed a markedly upregulation, when compared to sham-control and Hyperthermia without seizure groups. Conclusion: Simple febrile seizure is associated with changes in the level of Bcl2 ,andBax proteins, indicating an apoptosis improvement in hippocampi of juvenile rats, which were measurable for at least 15 days

INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF NEW ONSET DIABETES MELLI-TUS AMONG TRANSPLANTED RENAL ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; INTRODUCTION: Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) contributes to the risk for cardiovascular disease and infection, reducing graft and patient survival. This study was conducted to identify incidence and risk factors for development of PTDM. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: We studied 50 non-diabetic adult dialyzed patients awaiting renal transplantation prospectively. Oral glucose tolerance test () was performed pre- and post-transplantation. The relation of age, weight (BMI), dialysis modality, family history of diabetes, duration of dialysis was assessed with occurring PTDM. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: Based on 1, 13 patients had unknown Diabetes Mellitus; however after transplantation only 9 of them had same results. Based on 2 6(16.22%) patients had actually PTDM. Age of patients with PTDM were significantly higher than those with normal test (43&plusmn; 17 versus 31&plusmn; 11 year old) (P&lt;0.05). There was significant relation between duration of dialysis with PTDM (P&lt;0.05), as normal was seen in 85.2% patients that dialyzed less than 1 year. There was no significant relation among dialysis modality and family history of diabetes and BMI with PTDM (P&gt;0.05). &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: Risk factors for diabetes in our study were age and duration of dialysis before transplantation. Then identifying them might allow modification of post transplant immunosuppressant with nondibetogenic agents in high risk patients. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: post-transplant diabetes mellitus, oral glucose tolerance test, renal transplantation. &nbsp;</p

The effect of diabetes mellitus on apoptosis in hippocampus: Cellular and molecular aspects

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with cognitive deficits in humans and animals. These deficits are paralleled by neurophysiological and structural changes in brain. In diabetic animals, impairments of spatial learning, memory, and cognition occur in association with distinct changes in hippocampus, a key brain area for many forms of learning and memory and are particularly sensitive to changes in glucose homeostasis. However, the multifactorial pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy is not yet completely understood. Apoptosis plays a crucial role in diabetes-induce neuronal loss in hippocampus. Methods: The effects of diabetes on hippocampus and cognitive/behavioral dysfunctions in experimental models of diabetes are reviewed, with a focus on the negative impact on increased neuronal apoptosis and related cellular and molecular mechanisms. Results: Of all articles that were assessed, most of the experimental studies clearly showed that diabetes causes neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus through multiple mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inhibition of caspases, disturbance in expression of apoptosis regulator genes, as well as deficits in mitochondrial function. The balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signaling may determine the neuronal apoptotic outcome in vitro and in vivo models of experimental diabetes. Conclusions: Dissecting out the mechanisms responsible for diabetes-related changes in the hippocampal cell apoptosis helps improve treatment of impaired cognitive and memory functions in diabetic individuals

An animal model for febrile seizure induction using hot water bath

Background and Aim: Animal models offer an opportunity to induce febrile seizures in laboratories to assess the effects of neonatal fever and seizure on the central nervous system CNS). The present study aimed at introducing a method for febrile seizure induction in newborn rats. Materials and Methods: In order to induce hyperthermia, a number of 22-day-old male rats were placed in a 45 °C water tank for 4 minutes. Then, based on the four-stage scale, the animals which showed seizure signs were divided into 4 groups. After this stage, ten pups from the groups, which had hyperthermia and seizure, were selected for further investigations. The animals which presented no seizure behaviors were taken as hyperthermia without seizure (n=10) group. To control the effects of environmental stress a sham-control group consisting 10 rats were also included in the study.  Results: A significant elevation in the animals' body temperature in all groups was observed in comparison to the sham controls (P<0.05).No mortality was seen in the sham-control, hyperthermia without seizure, and 1st seizure stage groups., But 10% in each of the 2nd and 3rd seizure stage groups and 30% in the 4th group were died. Duration of seizure in the groups II, III, and IV was 89.46, 121.57, and 198.49 seconds, respectively. Conclusion: Hot water bath model seems to be an efficient method to induce febrile seizure in lab animals, and the interested researchers can consider it

Effect of maternal diabetes on gliogensis in neonatal rat hippocampus

Background: Diabetes in pregnancy is a common metabolic disorder associated with various adverse outcomes in the offspring including impairments in attention and memory and alterations in social behavior. Glial cells are proven to have a critical role in normal function of neurons, and alteration in their activity could contribute to disturbance in the brain function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal diabetes on hippocampal mRNA expression and distribution pattern of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactive glial cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of rat neonate at postnatal day 14 (P14). Materials and Methods: Wistar female rats were randomly allocated in control, diabetic, and insulin-treated diabetic groups. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin from 4 weeks before gestation until parturition. After delivery, the male offspring was euthanized at P14. Results: Our results showed a significant higher level of hippocampal GFAP expression and an increase in the mean number of GFAP positive cells in the DG of diabetic group offspring (P < 0.05). We also found an insignificant up-regulation in the expression of GFAP and the mean number of positive cells in the insulin-treated diabetic group neonates as compared to control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study revealed that diabetes during pregnancy strongly increased the glial cells production in the developing rat hippocampus

Beneficial effects of L-arginine on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neuronal degeneration in substantia nigra of Balb/c mice

Background: L-arginine has been recently investigated and proposed to reduce neurological damage after various experimental models of neuronal cellular damage. In this study, we aim to evaluate the beneficial effects of L-arginine administration on the numerical density of dark neurons (DNs) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of Balb/c mice subjected to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration. Materials and Methods: Male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 7 each): MPTP only; saline only (control); MPTP + L-arginine; and L-arginine only. The animals were infused intranasally with a single intranasal administration of the proneurotoxin MPTP (1 mg/nostril). L-arginine (300 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally once daily for 1-week starting from 3 days after MPTP administration. Cavalieri principle method was used to estimate the numerical density of DNs in the SNc of different studied groups. Results: Twenty days following MPTP administration, the number of DNs was significantly increased when compared to sham-control and L-arginine-control groups (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, our results showed that L-arginine administration significantly decreased the numerical density of DNs in SNc of mice. Conclusion: This investigation provides new insights in experimental models of Parkinson's disease, indicating that L-arginine represents a potential treatment agent for dopaminergic neuron degeneration in SNc observed in Parkinson's disease patients