ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of caspase-3 and FasL in the hippocampus of the infantile rats with recurrent sei-zures. Methods 72 of 20-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, control group and seizure group. Seizures in rats were induced by inhalant flurothyl daily in six consecutive days. Brain tissue was sampled at different time points (the 1st day, 3rd day and 7th day) after last seizure. The expressions of caspase-3 and FasL proteins in the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of caspase-3 mRNA was measured by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The caspase-3 protein, FasL protein and caspnse-3 mRNA levels were obviously increased at the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after recurrent seizure in the hippocampus of the rat(P<0.01). Conclusions Caspase-3 and FasL are participated in the infantile brain injury after recurrent seizures.