Protein expression of N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 in rat models of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To test a hypothesis that the protein expression of N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 (Ndrg2) may be enhanced in the hippocampus of rat models of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy and explore the pattern of Ndrg2 expression. Methods Twenty-eight rats were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups: 24 rats were enrolled in experimental group while the others in controls.The rat models in the experimental group were induced by lithium-pilocarpine protocol. Then survival rats were sacrificed 4 and 24 h, and 7 d and 6 weeks after the onset of status epilepticus (SE) while the controls were sacrificed 24 h after vehicle treatment. Temporal and spatial protein expression characteristics of Ndrg2 in the hippocampus were analyzed by immunofiuorescence labeling. Results The protein level of Ndrg2 increased by 62% and 37% on the 7th d and in the 6th weeks of onset of SE,respectively; statistically significant differences were noted between the experimental group at the above time points and the control group (P＜0.05). Ndrg2 immunoreactive cells were concentrated along the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. Conclusion The protein expression of Ndrg2 increases significantly in the hippocampus of rat models with chronic epilepsy, with its location mainly in perinuclear region ofastrocyte, which might result from astrogliosis activated by SE.