Effect of interleukin-1β on the variation of adenylyl cyclase expression in rats with seizures induced by L-glutamate

Summary  To explore the mechanism of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in the onset of seizure and the effect of IL-1β on the expression of adenylyl cyclase (AC) in rats with seizure induced by L-glutamate. Experimental rats were first injected with IL-1β and then L-glutamate (a dose under the threshold) was injected into the right lateral ventricle. The rats were sacrificed 4 h after the onset of epileptic activity and examined for changes in behavior, immunohistochemistry and compared with those with seizure induced by L-glutamate alone. It was found that the expression of AC in hippocampal and neocortex of rats with seizure induced by IL-1β and L-glutamate were stronger than that of control group (P<0.05), without significant difference found between the L-glutamate group and IL-1β plus L-glutamate group in the expression of AC, the latent period and the severity of seizure. When IL-ra were given (i.c.v.) first, there was no epileptic activity and the expression of AC did not increase. There were no differences in the expression of AC of rats with IL-1ra and that of control rats. But when 2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl) glycine (MCCG) was given (i. c. v.) first, the strongest expression of AC, the shortest latent period and the the most serious seizure activities were observed. The results indicated that IL-1β could facilitate the onset of epilepsy induced by L-glutamate through IL-1R, metabotropic glutamate receptors might work with IL-1R and the increased expression of AC might be involved in the process. WANG Zhen, female, born in 1973, Doctoral Student This project was supported by a grant from National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 30170484).