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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
Published on: July 12, 2021
Long-term metabolic alterations in a febrile seizure model
Duanhe Heng1, Zhongcheng Wang1, Yuanteng Fan1
1a Department of Pathophysiology.
Insights
Febrile seizures (FS) in early childhood may lead to long-term metabolic changes. This study in rats suggests altered energy metabolism and histone methylation may be involved.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Neurology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Febrile seizures (FS) are common in infants and children, potentially causing lasting health issues.
- FS can induce metabolic alterations, but long-term effects remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the long-term metabolic consequences of febrile seizures.
- To investigate potential epigenetic mechanisms, specifically histone methylation, underlying these effects.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic parameters (body weight, glucose, lipids) were measured in hyperthermia-prone (HP) rats compared to wild-type (WT) rats.
- Gene expression related to glucose and lipid metabolism was analyzed using qPCR.
- Histone methylation levels in the liver were assessed via Western blot.
Main Results:
- HP rats exhibited lower body weight, fasting blood glucose, and serum triglyceride levels than WT rats.
- Increased mRNA expression of PEPCK and CPT-1 was observed in HP rats.
- Decreased tri-methylation of histone 3 at Lys9 and Lys27 was noted in the HP group.
Conclusions:
- Febrile seizures may have enduring impacts on energy metabolism.
- Histone methylation alterations could represent a key mechanism linking FS to long-term metabolic dysregulation.
Objective:
Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common neurological disease in infancy and early childhood, it can lead to metabolic changes and have long-term health implications. Aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of FS on metabolism.
Methods:
We measured certain metabolic parameters in hyperthermia-prone (HP) rats, which were developed using a selective breeding process and showed a lower seizure threshold than wild-type (WT) rats. Body weight, body length, abdominal circumference and the levels of fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations were analyzed. The mRNA expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism was determined by qPCR and the histone methylation level in the liver was determined by western blot.
Results:
We found that the body weight of the HP rats was significantly lower than that of the WT rats. Similarly, the fasting blood glucose and serum triglyceride levels were lower in the HP group compared with the WT group. These changes were accompanied by increased mRNA expression of genes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), but not peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). We also found tri-methylation of histone 3 at Lys9 and Lys27 was decreased in the HP group.
Conclusions:
These data may suggest an underlying mechanism by which FS have a long-term effect on energy metabolism via histone methylation.
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