Effects of cyclosporine-A on brain lipids and apolipoprotein E, J gene expression in rats.

Cyclosporine-A, an immunosuppressive agent, is known to produce complications such as seizures and encephalopathies. It alters peripheral lipid metabolism, but its effect on brain lipid metabolism is unknown. Alterations in brain cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine levels, as well as in apolipoproteine E and J gene expression, are reportedly involved in epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and were here evaluated in rats following administration of cyclosporine-A for 3 weeks.