OBJECTIVETo study the effect of a microRNA-132 antagonist on lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in young Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSForty-five 3-week-old SD rats were randomly and equally divided into epilepticus model group, microRNA-132 antagonist group, and microRNA-132 antagonist negative control group. The young SD rat model of SE was established using lithium-pilocarpine. For the microRNA-132 antagonist group and the negative control group, pretreatment was performed 24 hours before the model establishment. Behavioral observation was performed to assess the latency of SE and success rate of induction of SE. The scale of Lado was used to evaluate the seizure severity. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to assess the frequency and amplitude of epileptiform discharges. The mortality rate was calculated in each group.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the success rate of induction of SE between the three groups (P>0.05). Compared with the microRNA-132 negative control group and the epilepticus model group, the microRNA-132 antagonist group had significantly prolonged SE latency after model establishment (P<0.05), a significantly lower Lado score of seizure (P<0.05), significantly lower frequency and amplitude of epileptiform discharges on EEG (P<0.05), and a slightly reduced mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment with the microRNA-132 antagonist shows an inhibitory effect on the development and progression of lithium-pilocarpine-induced SE in young SD rats. The inhibition of microRNA-132 is likely to be a potential target or direction for drug treatment of SE.