Drug Week via NewsEdge :

2008 SEP 12 - (NewsRx.com) -- New research, 'Long-term expressional changes of Na+ -K+ -Cl- co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and K+ -Cl- co-transporter 2 (KCC2) in CA1 region of hippocampus following lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (PISE),' is the subject of a report (see also Epilepsy Cell Biology). According to a study from People's Republic of China, "NKCC1 and KCC2 are encoded by slc12 gene family and involved in the maintenance of intracellular chloride concentration which may be associated with epileptogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term expression profiles of NKCC1 and KCC2 in CA1 region in the mice model of lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (PISE) and their relationship with epileptogenesis."

"We found NKCC1 mRNA and proteins were up-regulated at 1 d, 14 d and 45 d after pilocarpine injection, while KCC2 was down-regulated. According to obtained results, there were some expressional changes of NKCC1 and KCC2. Deregulation of their expression may break the balance of intracellular and extracellular chloride concentration which contributes to the mechanism of hyperexcitability leading to seizures," wrote X. Li and colleagues, Sun Yat-Sen University.

The researchers concluded: "Also it may provide new drug targets for development of new antiepileptic medicine."

Li and colleagues published the results of their research in Brain Research (Long-term expressional changes of Na+ -K+ -Cl- co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) and K+ -Cl- co-transporter 2 (KCC2) in CA1 region of hippocampus following lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (PISE). Brain Research, 2008;1221():141-6).

For additional information, contact X. Li, GuangZhou, Neurological Dept. of the 1st Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510080, PR China.

The publisher of the journal Brain Research can be contacted at: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

<>

Return to Epilepsy News