The protective effect of myo-inositol on hippocamal cell loss and structural alterations in neurons and synapses triggered by kainic acid-induced status epilepticus

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2013 Jul;33(5):659-71. doi: 10.1007/s10571-013-9930-y. Epub 2013 Apr 9.

Abstract

It is known that myo-inositol pretreatment attenuates the seizure severity and several biochemical changes provoked by experimentally induced status epilepticus. However, it remains unidentified whether such properties of myo-inositol influence the structure of epileptic brain. In the present light and electron microscopic research we elucidate if pretreatment with myo-inositol has positive effect on hippocampal cell loss, and cell and synapses damage provoked by kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with (i) saline, (ii) saline + kainic acid, (iii) myo-inositol + kainic acid. Assessment of cell loss at 2, 14, and 30 days after treatment demonstrate cytoprotective effect of myo-inositol in CA1 and CA3 areas. It was strongly expressed in pyramidal layer of CA1, radial and oriental layers of CA3 and in less degree-in other layers of both fields. Ultrastructural alterations were described in CA1, 14 days after treatment. The structure of neurons, synapses, and porosomes are well preserved in the rats pretreated with myo-inositol in comparing with rats treated with only kainic acid.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cerebrum / drug effects
  • Cerebrum / pathology
  • Cerebrum / ultrastructure
  • Dendrites / drug effects
  • Dendrites / pathology
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / pathology*
  • Hippocampus / ultrastructure
  • Inositol / administration & dosage
  • Inositol / pharmacology*
  • Kainic Acid
  • Male
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Status Epilepticus / pathology*
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / pathology*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Inositol
  • Kainic Acid