Genetic deletion of microRNA-22 blunts the inflammatory transcriptional response to status epilepticus and exacerbates epilepsy in mice.

MicroRNAs perform important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Sequencing as well as functional studies using antisense oligonucleotides indicate important roles for microRNAs during the development of epilepsy through targeting transcripts involved in neuronal structure, gliosis and inflammation. MicroRNA-22 (miR-22) has been reported to protect against the development of epileptogenic brain networks through suppression of neuroinflammatory signalling.

Spermine protects from LPS-induced memory deficit via BDNF and TrkB activation.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been long known to promote neuroinflammation and learning and memory deficits. Since spermine, one of the main natural polyamines in the central nervous system, protects from LPS-induced memory deficit by a mechanism that comprises GluN2B receptors, the aim of the present study was to determine whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor and cAMP response element binding (CREB) are involved in this protective effect of spermine. Adult male Swiss albino mice received, immediately after training in the novel object recognition task, saline or LPS (250 μg/kg, i.

A rapid method for identification and quantification of prostaglandins in cerebral tissues by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS for the lipidomic in vivo studies.

An analytical method utilizing liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization has been developed for the identification of prostaglandins (PGs) in cerebral tissues. The five compounds identified (thromboxane B2, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin D2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin F2 alpha) are cellular mediators of inflammation and are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes by acting on membrane receptors on the surfaces of target cells. The parameters of the electrospray ionization interface were optimized to obtain the highest possible sensitivity for all compounds studied.

EP2 receptor agonist ONO-AE1-259-01 attenuates pentylenetetrazole- and pilocarpine-induced seizures but causes hippocampal neurotoxicity.

Epilepsy is a common and devastating neurological disease affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Accumulating experimental and clinical evidence suggests that inflammatory pathways contribute to the development of seizures in various forms of epilepsy. In this context, while the activation of the PGE EP2 receptor causes early neuroprotective and late neurotoxic effects, the role of EP2 receptor in seizures remains unclear.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors differentially attenuate pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures and increase of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice.

Seizures increase prostaglandin and cytokine levels in the brain. However, it remains to be determined whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived metabolites play a role in seizure-induced cytokine increase in the brain and whether anticonvulsant activity is shared by all COX-2 inhibitors. In this study we investigated whether three different COX-2 inhibitors alter pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures and increase of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of mice.

Intrahippocampal infusion of spermidine improves memory persistence: Involvement of protein kinase A.

Spermidine (SPD) is an endogenous aliphatic amine that modulates GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors and improves memory. Recent evidence suggests that systemic SPD improves the persistence of the long term memory of fear. However, the role of hippocampal polyamines and its binding sites in the persistence of fear memory is to be determined, as well as its putative underlying mechanisms.

Alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) does not modify pentylenetetrazol- and pilocarpine-induced seizures.

Aims: Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide involved in different neurological functions that also exerts anti-inflammatory effects, including in the central nervous system (CNS). Although inflammation has been implicated in seizures and epilepsy, no study has systematically investigated whether α-MSH modifies seizures. Therefore, in the current study we determined whether α-MSH alters pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)- and pilocarpine-induced seizures.