ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Refractory status epilepticus is one of the most life-threatening neurological emergencies and is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs during this period is very controversial. Thus, this study has been designed to analyze the effect of a low dose of indomethacin (a COX inhibitor) on the expression of inflammatory molecules. METHOD: The hippocampus of rats submitted to pilocarpine-induced long-lasting status epilepticus was analyzed to determine the expression of inflammatory molecules with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with controls, reduced levels of the kinin B2 receptors IL1ß and TNFα were found in the hippocampus of rats submitted to long-lasting status epilepticus and treated with indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that low doses of indomethacin could be employed to minimize inflammation during long-lasting status epilepticus.
Subject(s)
Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Indomethacin/pharmacology , Monokines/drug effects , Receptors, Bradykinin/drug effects , Status Epilepticus/drug therapy , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Down-Regulation/drug effects , Interleukin-1beta/analysis , Interleukin-1beta/drug effects , Male , Monokines/analysis , Pilocarpine , Rats, Wistar , Receptor, Bradykinin B1/analysis , Receptor, Bradykinin B1/drug effects , Receptor, Bradykinin B2/analysis , Receptor, Bradykinin B2/drug effects , Receptors, Bradykinin/analysis , Status Epilepticus/chemically induced , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/analysis , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/drug effectsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Refractory status epilepticus is one of the most life-threatening neurological emergencies and is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs during this period is very controversial. Thus, this study has been designed to analyze the effect of a low dose of indomethacin (a COX inhibitor) on the expression of inflammatory molecules. METHOD: The hippocampus of rats submitted to pilocarpine-induced long-lasting status epilepticus was analyzed to determine the expression of inflammatory molecules with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with controls, reduced levels of the kinin B2 receptors IL1β and TNFα were found in the hippocampus of rats submitted to long-lasting status epilepticus and treated with indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that low doses of indomethacin could be employed to minimize inflammation during long-lasting status epilepticus. .