Abstract:

To study the neuroprotective effect of erdosteine on hippocampal neurones in rats with epilepsy and explore the relationship between oxidative stress and neuron apoptosis in rats with epilepsy. Methods 30 SD rats were randomly divided into there groups  PTZ group (n=10),erdosteine pre-disposal treatment group (n=10) and control group (n=10).The epilepsy models were established by injecting intrapertoneally pentylenetetrazol(PTZ) into the rats. The rats in   erdosteine group were pre-treated by injecting intrapertoneally erdosteine. The  behavior of rats were observed. The level of malondialdehyde(MDA),the activities of glutathion peroxidase(GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by colormetric method.The damage of hippocampal neurones was observed by HE and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferases mediated nick end labeling（TUNEL） method. Results The seizure period in erdosteine group was significantly shorter than that in PTZ group (P<0.05). The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in  erdosteine group were significantly higherer than those in PTZ group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the MDA level in erdosteine group was significantly lower than that in PTZ group (P<0.01). Compared with PTZ group,there were less TUNEL positive cells and acidophilic neurons in the hippocampus in erdosteine group(P<0.01). In PTZ group and erdosteine group,the TUNEL positive cells had negative correlation with the activity of SOD（r=－0.482,P<0.05） and  positive correlation with the MDA level（r= 0.875,P<0.01）. Conclusion Erdosteine could reduce the oxidative stress level of rats with epilepsy,reduce seizure periods and neuronal damage. Erdosteine has the effect of brain protection probably by scavenging free radical.

Key words: epilepsy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, free radical scavenger, erdosteine