The effects of intestinal inflammation on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice and the effects of some antiepileptic and anti-inflammatory treatments on them were studied to establish whether the connection could exist. The following were tested: ALAC, valproic acid (VPA), mesalazine (MSZ) which is an anti-inflammatory and sodium butyrate (NaB).
Intestinal inflammation was induced by administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 6 days. Drug treatment began on day 3 and lasted 11 days. DSS-induced colitis increased seizure susceptibility and all treatments were able to reduce intestinal inflammation but only ALAC and NaB were able to have significant antiepileptic properties. In DSS-treated mice VPA lost part of its antiepileptic efficacy compared to the efficacy in mice not treated with DSS. MSZ was ineffective in both groups (treated or not with DSS). It was shown that the reduction of intestinal inflammation with ALAC and NaB had anticonvulsant effects in mice treated with PTZ. Furthermore, it seems that intestinal inflammation can reduce the effects of VPA in addition to decreasing the seizure threshold.
It is suggested that intestinal inflammation may be an antiepileptic target as well as reduce the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs.
Year: 2019
Nationality: Italy
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