Rufinamide Mitigates Seizures and Behavioural Deficits via BDNF/TrkB Modulation and Oxidative Stress Reduction in...

Rufinamide (RUF) is a 3rd generation antiseizure medication (ASM) with a triazole ring that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and is most commonly used to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Thus, the present study examined the effect of RUF on EEG activity, behavioural testing, oxidative stress, and mRNA expression in PTZ-kindled mice.

Male BALB/c mice were administered rufinamide (30, 60, and 90 mg/kg) for 21 days along with 11 injections of PTZ (40 mg/kg) given every other day. EEG recordings were monitored and a series of behavioural tests after RUF treatment were done to assess the post-kindling associated anxiety and memory impairment. We also assessed the oxidative alterations, variation in real-time BDNF/TrkB mRNA expression as well as neuroinflammatory markers in isolated mice brains.

Analysis of results showed that RUF at the dose of 90 mg/kg maximally suppressed the progression of full-bloom seizures and decreased cortical epileptic spike discharge. Moreover, RUF showed significant anxiolytic action and prevented PTZ-induced cognitive decline in a dose-dependent manner. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, RUF decreased lipid peroxidation, AChE activity, raised glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels in the mice brain. RUF suppressed the PTZ-induced upregulation of BDNF/TrkB signalling and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines.

It is possible that the effects of RUF that have been seen are the consequence of decreased oxidative stress, BDNF/TrkB downregulation, and reduced expression of neuroinflammatory markers, which in turn reduce ictogenesis and improve the neuropsychiatric consequences associated with epilepsy.