Research progress on pathogenesis and treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy / 药学学报

Epilepsy is a chronic nervous system disease, which affects more than 70 million people all over the world. Although more than 30 kinds of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been on the market, about one third of the patients with epilepsy fail to respond to medical treatment, who become drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Identifying the mechanism and developing effective treatment methods for drug-resistant epilepsy have become a hot area in the field of epilepsy research. This review discussed resent advance on the pathogenesis of drug-resistant epilepsy from the transporter hypothesis, neural network hypothesis and target hypothesis, and we also summarized the existing potential treatment methods and research progress of drug-resistant epilepsy, such as surgical resection, deep brain stimulation, ketogenic diet, precise treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Our review may provide useful clues for the mechanisms research and clinical treatments of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Efficacy analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 DNA vaccine and recombinant subunit vaccine inducing neutralizing antibodies in mice / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor-binding domain (RBD) and spike (S) protein S1 subunit. Methods The SARS-CoV-2 RBD and mouse immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) Fc fragment (mFc) fusion protein expression plasmid pVRCRBD- mFc was constructed and transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T cells. The RBD-mFc fusion protein in the cell supernatants was detected by Western blotting. The effect of RBD-mFc in cell supernatants and CHO recombinant S1-human IgG1 Fc (S1-hFc) fusion protein on SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected by microneutralization test. BALB/c mice were immunized with plasmid pVRC-RBD-mFc and S1-hFc fusion protein via intramuscular injection. Anti-S1 IgG antibodies in mouse sera were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the virus neutralization activity of mouse sera was detected by microneutralization test. Results The RBD-mFc fusion protein could be detected in the culture supernatants of 293T cells transfected with the plasmid pVRC-RBD-mFc, the concentrated supernatants and the S1- hFc fusion protein could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection on Vero E6 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Anti-S1 IgG antibodies could be detected in the sera of mice immunized with plasmid pVRC-RBD-mFc and S1-hFc fusion protein, and the sera of both groups could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection. The serum antibody titers and virus neutralization activity of S1- hFc fusion protein immunized mice were significantly higher than those of plasmid pVRC-RBD-mFc immunized mice (both P<0.01). Conclusion Both SARS-CoV-2 RBD and S1 subunit may be used as effective vaccine antigens. Compared with DNA vaccine, recombinant subunit vaccine can induce neutralizing antibody more effectively..

Regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by West Nile virus in human neuroblastoma cells / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To explore the regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway by West Nile virus (WNV) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and the contributions of p38 MAPK to WNV replication as well as stress and inflammatory response related molecule expression. Methods: Total and phosphorylated p38 MAPK levels were analyzed in SH-SY5Y cells incubated with WNV for short (5, 15, 30 and 60 min) and long (12, 24, 48 and 60 h) durations by Western blotting. Dynamic changes of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α) and interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) mRNA expression in WNV infected cells were detected by qRT-PCR. In response to WNV infection, WNV RNA level and CHOP, IL-6, ATF6α and ISG15 mRNA levels were assessed in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with p38 MAPK siRNA. Results: Incubation with WNV for short durations enhanced p38 MAPK phosphorylation compared to the untreated control. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway was activated at 12 h and 24 h in WNV-infected SH-SY5Y cells, but down-regulated at 48 h and 60 h. WNV infection led to increased mRNA expression of CHOP, IL-6 and ISG15 and reduced ATF6α mRNA. In comparison with control siRNA transfection, the levels of WNV RNA (P<0.05) and ATF6α mRNA (P<0.01) were increased and CHOP mRNA level was decreased (P<0.05) in WNV-infected SH-SY5Y cells with the p38 MAPK siRNA transfection. Conclusion: The p38 MAPK pathway is activated during early stage of WNV infection and such activation may negatively regulate WNV replication. WNV-induced stress response molecules CHOP and ATF6α and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 production by SH-SY5Y cells are coupled with the regulation of p38 MAPK pathway.

Attenuated vaccines of flavivirus genus arborvirus: An update / 第二军医大学学报

As a pathogen causing many infectious diseases, Flavivirus genus arborvirus has caused public health emergencies worldwide and posed a serious threat to human health. Attenuated vaccine is the most effective vaccine type against Flavivirus genus arborvirus. The attenuated vaccines against yellow fever virus and Japanese encephalitis virus obtained by consecutive cell passages play an important role in preventing viral infections. Recently, reverse genetics technique has been used to modify the flavivirus genome to obtain the attenuated phenotype, and this technique has made significant progress in the development of Flavivirus genus arbovirus vaccines. This review summarizes the history and the current status of attenuated vaccine of Flavivirus genus arborvirus.

Modification of 6 Hz corneal kindled mouse model for drug-resistant epilepsy and its treatment by three traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions / 药学学报

Drug-resistance is a challenge in the treatment of epilepsy, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription may have a potential in therapy of the epilepsy. Here we established a modified 6 Hz corneal kindled mouse model of epilepsy, and verified its drug-resistance to four commonly used western medicines. We evaluated the efficacy of three classical TCM prescriptions in this drug-resistant epilepsy model. The results showed that:① most C57BL/6J mice with stimulation current intensity at 44 mA (8 out of 10) were fully kindled, while none ICR mice with stimulation current intensity at 44 mA or C57BL/6J mice with stimulation current intensity at 24 mA were fully kindled. Fully kindled mice exhibited epileptic electroencephalograms after 44 mA and 6 Hz corneal kindling stimulation and increased activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus (by staining the glial fibrillary acidic protein); ② 50 mg·kg-1 phenytoin sodium, 100 mg·kg-1 valproic acid sodium and 15 mg·kg-1 lamotrigine had no significant effects on the drug-resistant seizures in 6 Hz corneal kindled C57BL/6J mice, while 100 mg·kg-1 levetiracetam significantly reduced the seizure stage (P P -1) and Tian-Ma Gou-Teng decoction (14.82 or 44.46 g·kg-1), had no significant effects on the drug-resistant seizures in 6 Hz corneal kindled C57BL/6J mice, while TCM prescription Feng-Yin decoction (19.11 g·kg-1) significantly reduced both the seizure stage (P P < 0.05) in it. Thus, the modified 6 Hz corneal kindled C57BL/6J mouse model is an excellent drug-resistant epilepsy model, Feng-Yin decoction have antiepileptic effects on it, suggesting Feng-Yin decoction may be an effective TCM prescription for clinical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.

Correction to: Gender difference in acquired seizure susceptibility in adult rats after early complex febrile seizures / 神经科学通报·英文版

In the original publication of the article, the representative EEG of female rat pups with FS in Figure 1 C and D was incorrectly intercepted from that of male rat pups. This correction does not affect the conclusions of the paper. Figure 1 has been corrected on the online PDF version and displayed below.

Antiepileptic effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation is waveform-dependent in hippocampal kindled mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether the waveform of electrical stimulus affects the antiepileptic effect of focal low-frequency stimulation (LFS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antiepileptic effects of the LFS in sine, monophase square and biphase square waves were investigated in hippocampal kindled mice, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the control group, sine wave focal LFS (30 s) inhibited seizure stages (2.85 ± 0.27 vs 4.75 ± 0.12, P<0.05), lowered incidence of generalized seizures (53.6% vs 96.5%, P<0.01) and reduced afterdischarge durations [(16.2 2 ± 1.69)s vs (30.29 ± 1.12)s, P<0.01] in hippocampal kindled mice, while monophase or biphase square wave LFS (30 s) showed no antiepileptic effect. Monophase square LFS (15 min) inhibited seizure stages (3.58 ± 0.16, P<0.05) and incidence of generalized seizures (66.7%,P<0.01), but had weaker inhibitory effect on hippocampal afterdischarge durations than sine wave LFS. In addition, pre-treatment and 3 s but not 10 s post-treatment with sine wave LFS resulted in suppression of evoked seizures (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antiepileptic effect of LFS is dependent on its waveform. Sine wave may be optimal for closed-loop LFS treatment of epilepsy.</p>

Antiepileptic effect of low frequency stimulation in kindling rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antiepileptic effects of various stimulation modes of low-frequency stimulation(LFS) on the kindling rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Stimulating electrodes were implanted in the amygdala and current with constant intensity was applied to evoke kindling-induced seizures. The antiepileptic effect of LFS by open loop stimulation(before kindling), closed loop stimulation(immediately after kindling) and different forms of closed loop stimulation(whole stage after kindling and early stage after kindling) were investigated in amygdala kindled rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The closed loop LFS of whole stage after kindling can significantly inhibited seizure stages(P<0.01) and reduced afterdischarge duration(P<0.05). The closed loop LFS of early stage after kindling can significantly suppress the seizure stages, mainly in stages 0-3(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The open loop low-frequency stimulation did not inhibit the seizure stage during kindling acquisition(P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antiepileptic effect of low frequency stimulation may have a mode-dependent effect. It may be helpful for the deep brain stimulation as a promising approach applied to clinical antiepileptic therapy in the future.</p>

Intranasal administration of low dosage recombinant human erythropoietin inhibits seizure in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of intranasal administration of low dosage recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on seizure in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of r-HuEPO, the behavioral and electroencephalographic changes were observed in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizure or electrical amygdaloid-kindled seizure of rats.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Intranasal administration of low dosage r-HuEPO increased the seizure latency, and decreased the seizure grade and duration, and the number of convulsive episodes in PTZ induced seizure, with the most potential dosage of 2.4 IU. Intraperitoneal administration of r-HuEPO (3 000, 4 000 IU/kg) only decreased the seizure duration and number of convulsive episodes. The seizure grade, forelimb or hindlimb extension duration were decreased in MES-induced seizure by intranasal administration of 2.4 IU r-HuEPO. In addition, intranasal administration of 2.4 IU r-HuEPO decreased the seizure grade, generalized seizure duration and afterdischarge in electrical amygdaloid-kindled rats stimulated with generalized seizure threshold.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intranasal administration of low dosage r-HuEPO can inhibit the seizure in rats.</p>