Effects of immunoglobulin on convulsion rats and on c-fos expressions in neurocytes

Objective To explore clinical effects of immunoglobulin on convulsion rats and influences of immunoglobulin on the c-fos expression of neurocytes. Methods The epilepsy model was established by injecting pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) into Wistar rats to induce the generalized seizures. Fifteen rats were randomly divided into three groups, that is, group A: normal control; group B: PTZ plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) ; group C: PTZ plus normal saline (NS) . Seizure conditions of rats were observed and compared between group B and C. All perfused brain tissues of rats were sectioned and detected the c-fos expressions by immunohistochemistry staining (ABC method) at the 14th day of the epilepsy model. Results (1) In group A, weak c-fos expressions in brain tissues were observed occasionally. (2) Compared with rats of group C, the epilepsy in rats of group B showed obvious longer latencies and remarkably lower convulsion scores. No rat was dead in group B. While in group C 3of 6 rats died from seizures. Latencies of seizures showed a tendency to become short. There was no obvious change of convulsion scores in group C. (3) The c-fos expression in group B significantly decreased at the same region of brain tissues when compared with that in group C (P < 0.01) . Conclusion IVIG might play a role in the inhibition of convulsions and the reduction of the c-fos expressions. Key words: Immunoglobulins; Epilepsy, partial; Neurons; Genes, FOS; Rat