Antiepileptic effect of vitamin E on kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in rats

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease with the prevalence of around one percent. Despite the introductions of several anti-epileptic drugs, around 1/3 of epileptic patients are resistant to the anti-epileptic medications. Considering the evidence regarding the anti-oxidant action of Vitamin E and its beneficiary effect in the treatment of epilepsy, we investigated the anti-convulsive effect of Vitamin E in a rat model of kainic acid-induced epilepsy. Forty male rats were divided to five groups [sham, Vit E, epileptic, epileptic treated with Vit E and epileptic treated with valproic acid]. Epilepsy was induced by intra hippocampal injection of 4 microgram of kainic acid. Rats receiving daily intraperitoneal injections of Vit E [100 mg/kg] or valproic acid [200 mg/kg] in the week preceding the surgery. Intensity of epileptic convulsions was graded using Racine's criteria. No convulsions were observed in the sham-Vit E groups. Widespread convulsions were observed in the kainic acid-treated group. Intensity of convulsions were significantly reduced in the epileptic rats receiving either Vit E or valproic acid [P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively]. Pre-treatment with Vit E decreases the convulsion intensity in kainic acid-induced epilepsy in rats