The Effect of KATP Openers and Blockers on AKT and mTOR mRNA Levels in the Hippocampus and Cortex of Rats with Penicillin-Induced Epilepsy

Abstract

Opening or closing of K_ATP channels affects some signaling pathways in the brain. These signaling pathways are thought to be associated with epilepsy. Here, we investigated the effect of K_ATP channel opener and blocker on the AKT mTOR mRNA expressions in the hippocampus and cortex regions in the penicillin model of epilepsy in rats. Four groups were created viz. Control (C), Epilepsy (E), Epilepsy-Opener (E-O) and Epilepsy-Blocker (E-B). Epileptic focus was created by administering penicillin into the brain, and the seizure-related AKT, mTOR mRNA levels were determined by qPCR on days 1^st, 4^th, and 8^th after the seizure. The AKT mRNA expression levels in the hippocampus were statistically significant (P <0.05) in the E 1^st day group. mTOR mRNA expression levels were observed to be significantly higher in the E 1^st day and 8^th day groups than in control and all opener groups. (P <0.05). mTOR mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the E-B 1^st day and 8^th day group compared to the control and opener groups (P <0.05). AKT mRNA expression levels in the cortex were found to be statistically significantly higher in the E 1^st day group than in the other groups. mTOR mRNA expression was significantly higher in the E 4^th day group than in the control group. The results suggest that activation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is effective in the development of epilepsy and that the effect of KATP channels on epilepsy may be via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.