Abstract:

Abstract:Objective
To investigate the influence of low-dose dexmethasone (Dex)on spatial memory in temporal lobe epileptic male rats,and lay theoretical  foundation for the application of glucocorticoid related medicine in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham group,control group kindled with temporal lobe epilepsy after pretreated with normal saline (NS-control group) and observation group kindled with temporal lobe epilepsy pretreated with low-dose Dex (Dex group). The temporal lobe epileptic model was established through  microinjecting kainic acid (KA) into right nucleus amygdalae of Wistar male rats. Morris water maze observation was performed on the 5th,11st,17th,and 21st days after KA kindling or sham operation,respectively. Results The average escape latency in Sham group was delayed compared with  Dex group or NS-control group (P<0.05),the swimming initial angles in Dex group or NS-control group were enlarged compared with  Sham group (P<0.05). Compared with NS-control group and Sham group,the percentage of swimming center in Dex group was increased（P<0.05）and the length of swimming path was decreased（P<0.05）. Conclusion Low-dose Dex may have protective effect on spatial memory in temporal lobe epileptic male rats.

Key words: dexamethasone;temporal lobe epilepsy;spatial memory