Febrile seizure, but not hyperthermia alone, induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in rat cortex.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Febrile seizure (FS) is the most common seizure disorders. Approximately one third of children with a febrile seizure have recurrent events. The mechanism of FS remains unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a member of the heat shock proteins family and can be induced in the brain by various stresses, including hyperthemia and seizure. This study aimed at investigating the changes of HO-1 in the cortex of rats after recurrent FS.

METHODS:

FS in rats was induced ten times, once every 2 days. In a bath of warm water, developing rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n = 16) and warm water-treated group (n = 50). The latter group was subdivided into hyperthermia group (n = 19) and FS group (n = 23). The expression and content of HO-1 mRNA in cortex were observed using in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The content of HO-1 protein in cortex was measured using Western blotting.

RESULTS:

HO-1 mRNA expression of cortex neurons in FS group was markedly increased in comparison with those in hyperthermia and control groups (P = 0.00), however, there was no statistic difference between hyperthermia group and control group (P = 0.16). The relative amount of HO-1 mRNA in cortex in FS group was increased by 53.13% and 96% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00), but there was no obvious difference between the later two groups (P = 0.051). Western blotting analysis showed that the HO-1 protein content in cortex in FS group was increased by 198% and 246% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively (P = 0.00). There was no obvious difference in HO-1 protein content between the later two groups (P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS:

Recurrent FS in rats can cause the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein in cortex which may be involved in the mechanism of FS. The short-time recurrent hyperthermia can not induce the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein.

• Authors: Zhi-xian Yang, Jiong Qin, Jun-bao DU, Ding-fang Bu, Xing-zhi Chang, Ying Han
• Journal: Chinese medical journal (Chin Med J (Engl)) Vol. 119 Issue 3 Pg. 191-6 (Feb 05 2006) ISSN: 0366-6999 [Print] China
• PMID: 16537003 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Heme Oxygenase-1

Topics

• Animals
• Cerebral Cortex (enzymology)
• Fever (enzymology)
• Heme Oxygenase-1 (analysis, genetics)
• Male
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Recurrence
• Seizures, Febrile (enzymology)