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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing

Published on: June 9, 2017

Free radicals and theophylline neurotoxicity : an experimental study.

K Gulati¹, A Ray, V K Vijayan

¹Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Research Centre, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University Of Delhi, Delhi, India.

Cellular and Molecular Biology (Noisy-Le-Grand, France)

|June 5, 2007

Summary

Theophylline-induced seizures in mice involve free radicals, specifically reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Antioxidants and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors protected against these seizures, suggesting a role for oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing

Protocol for the Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mixed Cultures of Neurons and Glia for Neurotoxicity Testing

Published on: June 9, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Toxicology

Background:

Free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are implicated in central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Theophylline, used for obstructive airway disease, has a narrow therapeutic index and can induce seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of free radicals in theophylline-induced seizures in mice.
To evaluate the potential of antioxidants and nitric oxide (NO) pathway modulators in preventing these seizures.

Main Methods:

Mice were administered aminophylline (a theophylline derivative) to induce seizures.
Antioxidants (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, melatonin) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors (L-NAME, 7-NI) were used as pretreatments.
Biochemical assays measured malondialdehyde (MDA), NOx levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in brain homogenates.

Main Results:

Aminophylline induced seizures and mortality, which were not affected by conventional anticonvulsants or adenosine agonists.
Antioxidant and NOS inhibitor pretreatments dose-dependently reduced seizure incidence and mortality.
Biochemical analysis revealed increased MDA and NOx, and decreased SOD activity during aminophylline-induced seizures, which were reversed by melatonin and L-NAME.

Conclusions:

Both ROS and RNS are significantly involved in the mechanism of theophylline-induced seizures.
Antioxidative and NO-scavenging strategies show potential for managing theophylline toxicity.