Pharmacological blockade of IL-1β/IL-1 receptor type 1 axis during epileptogenesis provides neuroprotection in two rat models of temporal lobe epilepsy.

We studied whether pharmacological blockade of the IL-1β-mediated signaling, rapidly activated in forebrain by epileptogenic injuries, affords neuroprotection in two different rat models of status epilepticus (SE). As secondary outcome, we measured treatment's effect on SE-induced epileptogenesis. IL-1β signaling was blocked by systemic administration of two antiinflammatory drugs, namely human recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra), the naturally occurring and clinically used competitive IL-1 receptor type 1 antagonist, and VX-765 a specific non-peptide inhibitor of IL-1β cleavage and release.

Accumulation, elimination, and effects of parenteral exposure to aluminum in newborn and adult rats.

Aluminum (Al) delivered to preterm infants via parenteral nutrition may exceed the limit of 5 μg/kg/day set by the US Food and Drug Administration. This study evaluated the effect of the administration of an equivalent amount of Al (0.12 mg/kg/day) to newborn rats.

Fish oil attenuates methylmalonate-induced seizures.

Methylmalonic acidemias are inherited metabolic disorders characterized by methylmalonate (MMA) accumulation and neurological dysfunction, including seizures. Dietary fatty acids are known as an important energy source and reduce seizure activity in selected acute animal models. This study investigated whether chronic treatment with fish oil or with oleic acid attenuates MMA-induced seizures and whether maintenance of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity was involved in such an effect.

Prostaglandin E(2) potentiates methylmalonate-induced seizures.

Purpose: Methylmalonic acidemias are inherited metabolic disorders characterized by methylmalonate (MMA) accumulation and neurologic dysfunction, including seizures. It is known that metabolic crises in affected patients are precipitated by infections. Although growing evidence supports that inflammation facilitates seizures, it is not known whether inflammatory mediators facilitate MMA-induced seizures.