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Published on: May 4, 2015
Protective effects of topiramate against hyperoxic brain injury in the developing brain
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey. skurul@hotmail.com
Insights
Topiramate significantly reduced brain cell death caused by high oxygen exposure in infant rats. This finding suggests topiramate may protect developing brains from hyperoxia-induced injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hyperoxia exposure in infant rats causes significant apoptotic degeneration in the developing brain.
- Topiramate is known for its antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects in various animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of topiramate against hyperoxia-induced neurodegeneration in the developing brain.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rat pups were exposed to 80% oxygen from birth to postnatal day five.
- One group received intraperitoneal injections of topiramate (80 mg/kg/day).
- Neuronal cell death and apoptosis were evaluated via histopathological examination.
Main Results:
- Hyperoxia exposure led to significant apoptotic degeneration in the developing brain.
- Topiramate treatment significantly diminished apoptosis in the hippocampus (CA1 region and dentate gyrus).
Conclusions:
- Topiramate demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against hyperoxia-induced brain injury in developing rats.
- Topiramate may hold therapeutic potential for preventing neurodegeneration in conditions of hyperoxic brain injury.
Abstract:
Recent studies have shown that exposure to hyperoxia in infant rats leads to extensive apoptotic degeneration in the cortex and white matter of the developing brain. Besides its antiepileptic effects, topiramate exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of stroke, hypoxia ischemia, excitotoxic insults, and status epilepticus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of topiramate against hyperoxia-induced neurodegeneration in the developing brain. Eighteen Wistar rat pups were divided into three groups: control group, hyperoxia+phosphate buffered saline treated group and hyperoxia+topiramate treated group. Hyperoxia groups were exposed to 80% oxygen (n=12) in plexiglas chambers in which the oxygen concentration was monitored twice daily from birth until postnatal day five. The hyperoxia+topiramate group received an intraperitoneal injection of topiramate at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. At postnatal day 5, all animals were killed. Neuronal cell death and apoptosis were evaluated. Histopathological examination showed that topiramate significantly diminished apoptosis in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus of hippocampus. Topiramate may offer a therapeutic potential for neuroprotection under conditions of hyperoxic brain injury.
