Protective effect of inhibiting MAPK pathway on the injured hippocampal neuron induced by status epilepticus in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of inhibiting MAPK pathway on the injured hippocampal neurons induced by status epilepticus in rats and its mechanism.Methods: Thirty rats were randomly divided into the control group,model group and drug group.The status epilepticus model of rats was established using lithium pilocarpine,and the 0.05 mg/kg of SCH58261 was intraperitoneally injected into rats in the drug group before 15 minutes of the lithium pilocarpine injection.After 24 hours,the neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region of rats were observed,and the expression levels of p-p38,p-ERK and p-JNK proteins were detected.Results: Compared with the model group,the epileptic seizures degree in drug group was significantly lighter(P<0.05).A large number of neuron degeneration and necrosis were observed in region in the model group.Most of the cells swelled,the cell volume increased,the cell edge was not clear,the cell nuclei was pyknosis,broken and dissolved,and the cell loss was obvious.Compared with the model group,the neuron loss in CA3 region was less,the degeneration of neurons was not obvious,and the amount of Nissl body decreasing was less in drug group.The expressions of p-JNK,p38 and p-ERK were found in hippocampus of three group,the expressions of p-JNK,p-p38 and p-ERK increased in model group,the expression levels of p-p38 and p-JNK in drug group were less than those in model group(P<0.01),and the difference of the expression level of p-ERK between the model group and drug group was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusions: The status epilepticus in rats can lead to the hippocampal neurons damage,and the SCH58261(adenosine A2A receptor blocker) can protect the hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the MAPK pathway.