Febrile seizure, but not hyperthermia alone, induces the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in rat cortex

• Published in: Chinese medical journal 2006-02, Vol.119 (3), p.191-196
• Main Authors: Yang, Zhi-xian, Qin, Jiong, DU, Jun-bao, Bu, Ding-fang, Chang, Xing-zhi, Han, Ying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cerebral Cortex - enzymology; Fever - enzymology; Heme Oxygenase-1 - analysis; Heme Oxygenase-1 - genetics; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Recurrence; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Seizures, Febrile - enzymology; 基因表达; 温度疗法; 血红素
• ISSN: 0366-6999; 2542-5641
• DOI: 10.1097/00029330-200602010-00003

Background Febrile seizure （FS） is the most common seizure disorders. Approximately one third of children with a febrile seizure have recurrent events. The mechanism of FS remains unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） is a member of the heat shock proteins family and can be induced in the brain by various stresses, including hyperthemia and seizure. This study aimed at investigating the changes of HO-1 in the cortex of rats after recurrent FS. Methods FS in rats was induced ten times, once every 2 days. In a bath of warm water, developing rats were randomly divided into two groups： control group （n=16） and warm water-treated group （n=50）. The latter group was subdivided into hyperthermia group （n=19） and FS group （n=23）. The expression and content of HO-1 mRNA in cortex were observed using in situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The content of HO- 1 protein in cortex was measured using Western blotting. Results HO-1 mRNA expression of cortex neurons in FS group was markedly increased in comparison with those in hyperthermia and control groups （P=0.00）, however, there was no statistic difference bftween hyperthermia group and control group （P=0.16）. The relative amount of HO- 1 mRNA in cortex in FS group was increased by 53.13% and 96% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively （P=0.00）, but there was no obvious difference between the later two groups （P=0.051）. Western blotting analysis showed that the HO-1 protein content in cortex in FS group was increased by 198% and 246% in comparison with those in hyperthermia group and control group respectively （P=0.00）. There was no obvious difference in HO-1 protein content between the later two groups （P=0.09）. Conclusions Recurrent FS in rats can cause the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein in cortex which may be involved in the mechanism of FS. The short-time recurrent hyperthermia can not induce the increase of HO-1 mRNA and protein.