HYPOXIA PREVENTS SEIZURES AND NEURONAL DAMAGES OF THE HIPPOCAMPUS INDUCED BY KAINIC ACID IN RATS

The effects of the hypoxia on the epileptic seizures and neuronal damages induced by kainic acid were studied in rats using hypoic chamber equipment. Rats treated with kainic acid and placed in atmospheric pressure showed typical limbic seizures and regressive neuronal changes in CA3 and CA4 of the hippocampus, while those kept in a hypoxic chamber with 8.5% O2 and 91.5% N2 showed moderate hypoxia and a lsight decline of mean arterial blood pressure. In these hypoxic rats, seizures were completely prevented and there was remarkably less regressive neuronal injury of the hippocampus. Thus hypoxia has a rather ameliorative effect of the occurrence od seizures and excitotoxic neuronal injuries induced by kainic acid. The contribution of oxygen radicals and endogenous adenosine to preventing excitotoxic neuronal damages by kainic acid was discussed. © 1990.