Expression of two zinc transporters in the hippocampus of spontaneously epileptic rats

VernacularTitle:自发性癫痫大鼠脑海马两种锌转运体表达的研究
Author: Dan YANG ¹ ; Qing-Hua WANG ; Feng SUN ; Zhan-You WANG ; Yue WANG ; Hui-Ling GAO ; Ji-Qun CAI
Author Information

1. 沈阳医学院
Keywords: Epilepsy; Zinc; Zinc transporter
From: Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2009;8(8):802-805
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between hippocampal zinc transporter 1 and 3 expressions and epilepsy in spontaneously epileptic rats (ESRs) and normal rats, and observe the alternations of zinc homeostasis in zinc-containing neurons after seizure. Methods Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect zinc transporter 1 and 3 expressions in the hippocampus of both ESRs with recurrent seizures and normal Wistar rats. Results At both the mRNA and protein levels, hippocampal zinc transporter 1 expression in ESRs with recurrent seizures was significantly higher than that in normal Wistar rats, while hippocampal zinc transporter 3 protein expression was comparable between the two groups. Conclusion Hippocampal zinc transporter 1 expression is up-regnlated and Zn2+ in the hippocampal neurons, especially the post-synaptic neurons, can be elevated in ESRs after recurrent seizure. Up-regulated zinc transporter 1 expression in the hippocampus may protect the neurons against seizure-induced injuries by decreasing Zn2+ levels in the neurons.