Abstract:

Aim: Approximately fifty million people in the world suffer from epilepsy, and a large part of these patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs discovered so far. In addition, side effect profiles of these drugs are very wide. Rapamycin that is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has antineoplastic, aging-retarding, and anti-inflammatory effects. The studies regarding the effects of mTOR on nervous system have shown that it has neuro-protective effects. Moreover, it has been reported that use of rapamycin reduces epileptic seizures in tuberous sclerosis patients. In this study we aimed to investigate acute effects of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin on penicillin-induced experimental epilepsy in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, a model of forty adult male Wistar rats with penicillin induced experimental epilepsy was used. The forty rats were divided into five groups, which were saline group, solvent (dimethylsulfoxide) group, and 0.1 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg rapamycin groups. All substances were administered intraperitoneally. After the administration of 1.25 g/kg urethane for anesthesia, the left part of each rat’s skull was opened and electrodes were placed on the brain. Electrocorticography recording was initiated. Penicillin was intracortically administered two hours after the administration of rapamycin. After the administration of penicillin, electrocorticographic data were recorded for another two hours. Results: In rapamycin-treated rat groups, administration of 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg rapamycin significantly reduced epileptic spike-wave frequency and amplitude of epileptiform activity. However, when compared in terms of latency no significant difference was found between the groups.

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