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Published on: June 12, 2018
Effect of magnesium sulfate on hyperthermia and pentylen-tetrazol-induced seizure in developing rats
Maryam Ghadimkhani1, Ehsan Saboory2, Shiva Roshan-Milani1
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Insights
Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) pretreatment reduced hyperthermia-induced seizures in rats. This intervention also lessened the severity of later pentylen-tetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, suggesting long-term neuroprotective effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Febrile seizures (FS) are common in children (2-5% prevalence).
- Reduced magnesium levels are observed in children with FS.
- Hyperthermia (HT) and pentylen-tetrazol (PTZ) can induce seizures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) pretreatment on hyperthermia (HT)-induced behaviors.
- To assess the long-term impact of MgSO4 and HT on pentylen-tetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were divided into saline-hyperthermia-pentylentetrazol (SHP) and magnesium-hyperthermia-pentylentetrazol (MHP) groups.
- HT was induced in young rats; MHP group received MgSO4, SHP group received saline prior to HT.
- PTZ-induced seizures were tested at different ages (25-26 days and 78-79 days).
Main Results:
- MgSO4 pretreatment attenuated HT-induced convulsive behaviors.
- PTZ-induced seizures were more severe one week after HT compared to two months later.
- MgSO4 pretreatment reduced the severity of PTZ-induced seizures later in life.
Conclusions:
- MgSO4 pretreatment effectively inhibits HT-induced seizures.
- Long-term administration of MgSO4 may offer neuroprotection against later-life seizures.
- Magnesium may play a crucial role in managing seizure susceptibility.
Objectives:
Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of convulsive events among children. Its prevalence has been estimated to be 2-5% in children between 3 months and 5 years old. Also, blood and CSF magnesium levels have been demonstrated to be reduced in children with FS. This study investigates the effect of MgSo4 pretreatment on the behaviors caused by hyperthermia (HT) and effect of these two on pentylen-tetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure later in life.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty two Wistar rats were assigned to 2 groups: saline-hyperthermia-pentylentetrazol (SHP) and magnesium-hyperthermia-pentylentetrazol (MHP). In both groups, HT was induced at the age of 18-19 days old. Before the HT, MHP group received MgSo4 and SHP group received normal saline intraperitoneally (IP). Behaviors of the rats were recorded during the HT. Then, in half of each group (n=8) at the age of 25-26 days old and in other half at the age of 78-79 days, seizure was induced by PTZ.
Results:
The HT successfully caused convulsive behaviors in the rats and pretreatment with MgSo4 before HT attenuated HT-induced convulsive behaviors. PTZ-induced seizures a week later was more severe than those of 2 months later.
Conclusion:
It can be concluded that pretreatment with MgSO4 inhibits HT-induced seizure and, in a long run, this intervention reduced PTZ-induced seizure later in life.

