Transient protective effect of B-vitamins in experimental epilepsy in the mouse brain

J Mol Neurosci. 2010 May;41(1):74-9. doi: 10.1007/s12031-009-9286-4. Epub 2009 Sep 24.

Abstract

The regulation of programmed cell death in the nervous system of vertebrates is a complex mechanism aimed to remove superfluous or damaged cells. Epileptic seizures can lead to an activation of pathways resulting in neuronal cell death. B-vitamins might have a neuroprotective potential reducing cell death following appropriate stimulation. Here, the role of the B-vitamins B(1) (thiamine), B(6) (pyridoxine), and B(12) (cobalamine) was investigated in a mouse model of experimental epilepsy induced by kainate. B-vitamin pre-treated animals showed a significantly reduced epileptic score during the first 15 min after kainate injection. The molecular response to kainate showed a bi-phased time course with early induction of Bcl-2 expression within 12 h and a second induction after 7 days of kainate exposure. B-vitamin pre-treatment resulted in significant higher Bcl-2 expression in control animals (no kainate) and at 12 h within the early phase. Bcl-2 expression was not affected by B-vitamins within the second phase. BAX expression was not significantly influenced during the whole experiment. Three days after kainate stimulation, the number of TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling-positive cells in the hippocampal region was lower in B-vitamin-treated animals. Therefore, B-vitamin pre-treatment may attenuate the response to epileptic stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cell Death
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy / prevention & control*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / toxicity
  • Female
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Kainic Acid / toxicity
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Vitamin B Complex* / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B Complex* / therapeutic use
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Kainic Acid