Kai Luo , Weiwen Zeng , Qing Chen , Zhijian Ma , Shixiong Huang , Xinyu Ben
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and aim
Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder frequently accompanied by cognitive impairments and neuronal damage. Neuroinflammation—particularly mediated by interleukin-1β (IL-1β)—plays a critical role in epileptogenesis. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid mediator, has been implicated in neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory signaling; however, its role in epilepsy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of S1P in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced mouse model of epilepsy.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice were administered PTZ (33 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day for a total of 15 injections to establish a seizure-kindling model. S1P (0.5 mg/mL) was administered intraperitoneally during the subsequent treatment period. Seizure activity was assessed using electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Morris water maze. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was examined via Nissl staining. The expression levels of IL-1β mRNA and precursor protein in the hippocampus were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
Results
S1P treatment significantly reduced seizure frequency and amplitude, shortened seizure duration, and ameliorated EEG abnormalities in epileptic mice. In behavioral assays, S1P improved spatial learning and memory performance. Histological analysis demonstrated reduced neuronal degeneration and preservation of hippocampal architecture in S1P-treated epileptic mice. Furthermore, S1P markedly decreased hippocampal IL-1β expression at both the mRNA and protein levels.
Conclusions
S1P exerts anti-seizure and neuroprotective effects in PTZ-induced epileptic mice and attenuates IL-1β–mediated neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that the S1P–IL-1β axis may represent a promising therapeutic target for epilepsy and its associated cognitive impairments.
期刊介绍:
Neuroscience Letters is devoted to the rapid publication of short, high-quality papers of interest to the broad community of neuroscientists. Only papers which will make a significant addition to the literature in the field will be published. Papers in all areas of neuroscience - molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, behavioral and cognitive, as well as computational - will be considered for publication. Submission of laboratory investigations that shed light on disease mechanisms is encouraged. Special Issues, edited by Guest Editors to cover new and rapidly-moving areas, will include invited mini-reviews. Occasional mini-reviews in especially timely areas will be considered for publication, without invitation, outside of Special Issues; these un-solicited mini-reviews can be submitted without invitation but must be of very high quality. Clinical studies will also be published if they provide new information about organization or actions of the nervous system, or provide new insights into the neurobiology of disease. NSL does not publish case reports.