ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) on the expression of FAK and FAK-pY397 in hippo-campus of rats with seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Methods: A total of 75 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:the normal control group, the epilepsy model group (PTZ group) and the VPA groups(150,300 and 600 mg·kg-1·d-1)with 15 ones in each group. The model rats were continuously given PTZ (32 mg·kg-1·d-1) by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks and paid close attention to the behavioral changes, and then VPA was administrated orally for 2 weeks. The pathological changes of hippo-campus tissue were observed by HE staining. The expressions and distributions of FAK, FAK-pY397 and integrin in serum and hippo-campus were evaluated by immunohistochemical assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with the model group, the symptoms of epilepsy in VPA groups were significantly relieved and cell apoptosis was improved. Immunohistochemis-try showed that the expression of FAK-pY397 decreased significantly in VPA groups with the increase of sodium valproate dose, and there was no significant difference in the expression of ITGα3. The VPA groups significantly reduced the expression of FAK, FAK-pY397 and ITGβ1(P<0. 05), the expression of FAK and ITGβ1 protein in peripheral serum decreased significantly (P<0. 05), but the expression of FAK-pY397 did not change significantly. Conclusion: VPA can effectively participate in or affect the process of epi-lepsy by inhibiting the expressions of FAK-pY397 and ITGβ1 in hippocampal tissue of epileptic rats.