The Effects of Acute and Chronic Infusions of Dexamethasone on Audiogenic Seizures and Catalepsy in Rats of Krushinsky–Molodkina and “0” Strains

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Abstract
Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticosteroid with anti–inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. In order to identify new targets for pharmacotherapy, as well as to study immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, the influence of dexamethasone on audiogenic epilepsy and catalepsy in Krushinsky–Molodkina (KM) rats has been studied. The chronic (but not acute) infusion of dexamethasone decreased the audiogenic seizure fits intensity in male rats of Krushinsky–Molodkina (KM) strain which is highly susceptible to audiogenic epilepsy, but was accompanied by part of animal deaths. In a month after dexamethasone injections the audiogenic sensitivity of the rescued animals restored to the control levels. The “0” strain rats, bred from F2 KM x Wistar hybrids, no dexamethasone induced mortality was found. The acute and chronic dexamethasone action in rats of “0” strain induced the emergence of catalepsy after the sound exposure, although the audiogenic seizure was found only in one animal. The chronic and acute dexamethasone decreased the postictal catalepsy in KM rats. Thus, pro-inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of audiogenic epilepsy. Dexamethasone had a distinct anticonvulsant effect in the chronic experiment.

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