The effect of VNS on the L-glutamate-induced augmentation of intracellular free calcium of cortical and hippocampal neurons of PTZ-kindled rats / 医学研究生学报

ABSTRACT

Objectives:To explore the antiepileptic cellular mechanism of chronic vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).　 Methods: The rats were kindled by intraperitoneal injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) (45mg/kg weight), and chronic VNS was applied to the kindled-rats. The effects of glutamate (Glu) on the intracellular free calcium (［Ca2+］i) of cortical and hippocampal neurons of normal, PTZ-kindled and VNS-treated rats were examined with fluorescence spectrophotometry respectively. The behavioral changes of all rats were observed. 　Results: The neuronal ［Ca2+］i of the VNS-treated rats were significantly lower than that of the PTZ-kindled rats. VNS could significantly inhibit the augmentation of neuronal ［Ca2+］i induced by Glu. Behavioral changes demonstrated that VNS could significantly reduce the severity and prolong the latency of seizures of PTZ-kindled rats. 　Conclusions: VNS could significantly inhibit the kindling effect of PTZ and reduce the excitability of neurons induced by Glu. VNS might exerted the antiepileptic effects by influencing the activation of neural receptors.