Objectives:

In this experimental model of epileptic seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), we aimed to investigate the effect of pregabalin, (PGB), (Lyrica(R)) in the brain cortex tissues and on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which are indicators of oxidative stress.

Methods:

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. The first group was used as a control group. The second group received a single dose administration of PTZ. Third and fourth groups were given, via gastric gavage, doses of 100 mg/kg body weight/day of PGB, divided into two, for two days. Seizure is obtained by applying intraperitoneally (ip) 50 mg/kg body weight of PTZ to groups II and IV. After one hour of PTZ administration, all rats were sacrificed and brain cortex tissues were taken. SOD and CAT activities and NO and MDA levels were studied in the brain cortex tissues.

Results:

MDA levels and SOD activity of the PGB and PGB+PTZ groups were significantly lower than the control group ( p=0.005, p=0.001 and p=0.005, p=0.004, respectively), and NO level of the PGB and PGB+PTZ groups were significantly higher than the control group (p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). CAT levels between the groups were similar.

Conclusion:

Our study results indicate that PGB prevents oxidative stress and increases NO levels in the rat brain cortical tissues during epileptic seizure. Increased NO may contribute to PGB’s antiepileptic effect.

Keywords: Epilepsy, oxidative stress, pregabalin, pentylenetetrazole