Abstract
The role of NO in epileptogenesis has been studied in different experimental models, and the reported results have been highly contradictory. The current study aimed to determine the role of NO in mechanisms of d,l-homocysteine-thiolactone (H) induced seizures by testing the action of l-arginine (NO precursor) and l-NAME (NOS inhibitor) on behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) manifestations of H-induced seizures. The same holds true with the brain Na+/K+- and Mg2+-ATPase activity in adult male Wistar rats. We showed that the pretreatment with l-arginine (300, 600 and 800 mg/kg, i.p.) in a dose-dependent manner significantly decreased lethality, seizure incidence and a number of seizure episodes and prolonged latency time to the first seizure elicited by a convulsive dose of H (8 mmol/kg, i.p.). l-Arginine (800 mg/kg) completely reversed the inhibitory effect of H on the Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the hippocampus, the cortex and the brain stem and decreased the H-induced spike-and- wave discharges (SWD) formation in EEG. On the other hand, pretreatment with l-NAME (200, 500 and 700 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated a subconvulsive dose of H (5.5 mmol/kg, i.p) by increasing incidence and severity determined by a descriptive-rating scale (0–4) and shortening the latency time to the first seizure. The l-NAME reversed H-induced alterations in the Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the cortex and the brain stem but not in the hippocampus. At last, the potentiated SWD appearance in EEG and an increased number of lethal outcomes occurred. In the present work, the modulation of NO levels, with the NO precursor and NOS inhibitor, was shed more light on its mechanism of action and answered the question whether NO could be included in the list of anticonvulsant agents in the d,l-homocysteine thiolactone experimental model of seizures in adult rats.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alabadí JA, Thibault JL, Pinard E, Seylaz J, Lasbennes F (1999) 7-Nitroindazole, a selective inhibitor of nNOS, increases hippocampal extracellular glutamate concentration in status epilepticus induced by kainic acid in rats. Brain Res 839:305–312
Avrova NF, Shestak KI, Zakharova IO, Sokolova TV, Leontev VG (1999) The difference in the effect of glutamate and NO synthase inhibitor on free calcium concentration and Na+, K+-ATPase activity in synaptosomes from various brain regions. Neurochem Res 24:1101–1106
Ayyildiz M, Yildirim M, Agar E (2007) The involvement of nitric oxide in the anticonvulsant effects of alpha-tocopherol on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats. Epilepsy Res 73:166–172
Bashkatova V, Vitskova G, Narkevich V, Vanin A, Mikoyan V, Rayevsky K (2000) Nitric oxide content measured by ESR-spectroscopy in the rat brain is increased during pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. J Mol Neurosci 14:183–190
Bignami A, Palladini C, Venturini G (1966) Effect of cardiazol on sodium–potassium adenosine triphosphatase of the rat brain in vivo. Brain Res 1:413–414
Boda B, Szente M (1996) Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor facilitates focal seizures induced by aminopyridine in rat. Neurosci Lett 209:37–40
Buisson A, Lakhmeche N, Verrecchia C, Plotkine M, Boulu RG (1993) Nitric oxide: and endogenous anticonvulsant substance. NeuroReport 4:444–446
Cohen RS, Blomber F, Berzins K, Siekevitz P (1977) The structure of postsynaptic densities isolated from dog cerebral cortex: I. Overall morphology and protein composition. J Cell Biol 74:181–203
Cousin MA, Nicholls DG, Pocock JM (1995) Modulation of ion gradients and glutamate release in cultured cerebellar granule cells by ouabain. J Neuroscem 64:2097–2104
Del-Bel EA, Oliveira PR, Oliveira JA, Mishra PK, Jobe PC, Garcia-Cairasco N (1997) Anticonvulsant and proconvulsant roles of nitric oxide in experimental epilepsy models. Braz J Med Biol Res 30:971–979
Djurić D, Jakovljević V, Rašić-Marković A, Djurić A, Stanojlović O (2008) Homocysteine, folic acid and coronary artery disease: possible impact on prognosis and therapy. Indian J Chest Dis Allied Sci 50:39–48
dos Reis EA, de Oliveira LS, Lamers ML, Netto CA, Wyse AT (2002) Arginine administration inhibits hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity and impairs retention of an inhibitory avoidance task in rats. Brain Res 951:151–157
Ferraro G, Montalbano ME, La Grutta V (1999) Nitric oxide and glutamate interaction in the control of cortical and hippocampal excitability. Epilepsia 40:830–836
Ferraro G, Sardo P (2004) Nitric oxide and brain hyperexcitability. In vivo 18:357–366
Folbergrova J (1997) Anticonvulsant action of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists against seizures induced by homocysteine in immature rats. Exp Neurol 145:442–450
Getting SJ, Segieth J, Ahmad S, Biggs CS, Whitton PS (1996) Biphasic modulation of GABA release by nitric oxide in the hippocampus of freely moving rats in vivo. Brain Res 717:196–199
Grisar T, Guillaume D, Delgado-Escueta AV (1992) Contribution of Na+/K+-ATPase to focal epilepsy: a brief review. Epilepsy Res 12:141–149
Guix FX, Uribesalgo I, Coma M, Muñoz FJ (2005) The physiology and pathophysiology of nitric oxide in the brain. Prog Neurobiol 76:126–152
Haberny KA, Pou S, Eccles CU (1992) Potentiation of quinolinate-induced hippocampal lesions by inhibition of NO synthesis. Neurosci Lett 146:187–190
Han D, Yamada K, Senzaki K, Xiong H, Nawa H, Nabeshima T (2000) Involvement of nitric oxide in pentylenetetrazole- induced kindling in rats. J Neurochem 74:792–798
Hao W, Myhre AP, Palmer JP (1999) Nitric oxide mediates IL-1beta stimulation of heat shock protein but not IL-1beta inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase. Autoimmunity 29:93–101
Horvat A, Nikezić G, Martinović JV (1995) Estradiol binding to synaptosomal plasma membranes of rat brain regions. Experientia 51:11–15
Itoh K, Watanabe M (2009) Paradoxical facilitation of pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsion susceptibility in mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase. Neuroscience 159:735–743
Jakubowski H (2004) Molecular basis of homocysteine toxicity in humans. Cell Mol Life Sci 61:470–487
Kim WK (1999) S-nitrosation ameliorates homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity and calcium responses in primary culture of rat cortical neurons. Neurosci Lett 265:99–102
Kubova H, Folbergova J, Mareš P (1995) Seizures induced by homocysteine in rats during ontogenesis. Epilepsia 36:750–756
Lees GJ (1993) Contributory mechanisms in the causation of neurodegenerative disorders. Neuroscience 54:287–322
Lees GJ, Leong W (1994) Brain lesions induced by specific and non-specific inhibitors of sodium–potassium ATPase. Brain Res 649:225–233
Lipton SA, Choi Y, Pan Z, Lei SZ, Chen HV, Sucher NJ, Loscalzo J, Singel DJ, Stamler JS (1993) A redox-based mechanism for the neuroprotective and neurodestructive effects of nitric oxide and related nitroso-compounds. Nature 364:626–632
Mannick JB, Hausladen A, Liu L, Hess DT, Zeng M, Miao QX, Kane LS, Gow AJ, Stamler JS (1999) Fas-induced caspase denitrosylation. Science 284:651–654
Marangoz C, Bağirici F (2001) Effects of L-arginine on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 86:297–301
Mareš P, Haugvicova R, Kubova H (2002) Interaction of excitatory amino acid agonists with cortical after discharges in developing rats. Epilepsia 43:61–67
Matte C, Monteiro SC, Calcagnotto T, Bavaresco CS, Netto CA, Wyse AT (2004) In vivo and in vitro effects of homocysteine on Na+, K+-ATPase activity in parietal, prefrontal and cingulated cortex of young rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 22:185–190
Matte C, Scherer EBS, Stefanello FM, Barschak AG, Vargas CR, Netto CA, Wyse AT (2007) Concurrent folate treatment prevents Na+, K+-ATPase activity inhibition and memory impairments caused by chronic hyperhomocysteinemia during rat development. Int J Dev Neurosci 25:545–552
Mattson PM, Shea T (2003) Folate and homocysteine metabolism in neural plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders. Trends Neurosci 26:137–146
Nanri K, Takizawa S, Fujita H, Ogawa S, Shinoara Y (1996) Modulation of extracellular glutamate concentration by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in rat transient forebrain ischemia. Brain Res 738:243–248
Noyan B, Gulec G (2000) Effects of L-arginine on prevention and treatment of lithiumpilocarpine- induced status epilepticus. Physiol Res 49:379–385
Noyan B, Jensen MS, Danscher G (2007) The lack of effects of zinc and nitric oxide in initial state of pilocarpine-induced seizures. Seizure 16:410–416
Paul V, Ekambaram P (2005) Effects of sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, on γ-aminobutyric acid concentration in the brain and on picrotoxin-induced convulsions in combination with phenobarbitone in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 80:363–370
Perla-Kajan J, Twardowski T, Jakubowski H (2007) Mechanisms of homocysteine toxicity in humans. Amino Acids 32:561–572
Przegaliński E, Baran L, Siwanowicz J (1994) The role of nitric oxide in the kainate-induced seizures in mice. Neurosci Lett 170:74–76
Przegaliński E, Baran L, Siwanowicz J (1996) The role of nitric oxide in chemically- and electrically-induced seizures in mice. Neurosci Lett 217:145–148
Ramakrishnan S, Sulochana KN, Lakshmi S, Selvi R, Angayarkanni N (2006) Biochemistry of homocysteine in health and diseases. Indian J Biochem Biophys 43:275–283
Rašić-Marković A, Djurić D, Hrnčić D, Lončar-Stevanović H, Vučević D, Mladenović D, Brkić P, Djuro M, Stanojlović O (2009a) High dose of ethanol decreases EEG total spectral power density in seizures induced by D,L-homocysteine thiolactone in adult rats. Gen Physiol Biophys 28:S23–S30
Rasić-Marković A, Stanojlović O, Hrncić D, Krstić D, Colović M, Susić V, Radosavljević T, Djuric D (2009b) The activity of erythrocyte and brain Na+/K+ and Mg2+-ATPases in rats subjected to acute homocysteine and homocysteine thiolactone administration. Mol Cell Biochem 327(1-2):39–45
Rauhala P, Lin AM, Chiueh CC (1998) Neuroprotection by S-nitrosoglutathione of brain dopamine neurons from oxidative stress. FASEB J 12:165–173
Royes LF, Fighera MR, Furian AF, Oliveira MS, Fiorenza NG, Petry JC, Coelho RC, Mello CF (2007) The role of nitric oxide on the convulsive behavior and oxidative stress induced by methylmalonate: an electroencephalographic and neurochemical study. Epilepsy Res 73:228–237
Sachdev PS (2005) Homocysteine and brain atrophy. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 29:1152–1161
Sato T, Kamata Y, Irifune M, Nishikawa T (1995) Inhibition of purified (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity from porcine cerebral cortex by NO generating drugs. Brain Res 704:117–120
Sener U, Zorlu Y, Karaguzel O, Ozdamar O, Coker I, Topbas M (2006) Effects of common anti-epileptic drug monotherapy on serum levels of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin B6. Seizure 15:79–85
Silva CG, Parolo E, Streck EL, Wajner M, Wanmacher CMD, Wuse ATS (1999) In vitro inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity form rat cerebral cortex by guanidine compounds accumulating in hyperargininemia. Brain Res 838:78–84
Sitnikova E, van Luijtelaar G (2007) Electroencephalographic characterization of spike-wave discharges in cortex and thalamus in WAG/Rij rats. Epilepsia 48:2296–2311
Stanojlović O, Rašić-Marković A, Hrnčić D, Šušić V, Macut D, Radosavljević T, Djurić D (2009) Two types of seizures in homocysteine thiolactone-treated adult rats, behavioral and electroencephalographic study. Cell Mol Neurobiol 29:329–339
Streck EL, Matte C, Vieira PS, Rombaldi F, Wannmacher CM, Wajner M, Wyse AT (2002) Reduction of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in hippocampus of rats subjected to chemically induced hyperhomocysteinemia. Neurochem Res 27:1593–1598
Streck EL, Matte C, Vieira PS, Calcagnotto T, Wannmacher CM, Wajner M, Wyse AT (2003) Impairment of energy metabolism in hippocampus of rats subjected to chemically-induced hyperhomocysteinemia. Biochem Biophys Acta 1637:187–192
Towle AC, Sze PY (1983) Steroid binding to synaptic plasma membrane: differential binding of glucocorticoids and gonadal steroids. J Steroid Biochem 18:135–143
Troen AM (2005) The central nervous system in animal models of hyperhomocysteinemia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 29:1140–1151
Tutka P, Barczyñski B, Arent K, Mosiewicz J, Mróz T, Wielosz M (2007) Different effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on convulsions induced by nicotine in mice. Pharmacol Rep 59:259–267
Urbanska EM, Drelewska E, Borowicz KK, Blaszczak P, Kleinrok Z, Czuczwar SJ (1996) NG-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and seizure susceptibility in four seizure models in mice. J Neural Transm 103:1145–1152
Vaillend C, Mason SE, Cuttle MF, Alger BE (2002) Mechanisms of neuronal hyperexcitability caused by partial inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPases in the rat CA1 hippocampal region. J Neurophysiol 88:2963–2978
Van den Berg M, van der Knaap MS, Boers GH, Stehouwer CD, Rauweda JA, Valk J (1995) Hyperhomocysteinemia; with reference to its neuroradiological aspects. Neuroradiology 37:403–411
Van Leeuwen R, De Vries R, Dzoljic MR (1995) 7-Nitro indazole, an inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase, attenuates pilocarpine- induced seizures. Eur J Pharmacol 287:211–213
Vasić V, Jovanović D, Krstić D, Nikezić G, Horvat A, Vujisić L, Nedeljković N (1999) Prevention and recovery of CuSO4-induced inhibition of Na?/K?-ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes by EDTA. Toxicol Lett 110:95–104
Vizi ES (1979) Presynaptic modulation of neurochemical transmission. Prog Neurobiol 12:181–290
Vizi ES (2000) Role of high-affinity receptors and membrane transporters in non synaptic communication and drug action in the central nervous system. Pharmacol Rev 52:63–90
Walton NY, Jaing Q, Hyun B, Treiman DM (1996) Lamotrigine vs. phenytoin for treatment of status epilepticus: comparison in an experimental model. Epilepsy Res 24:19–28
Wang QP, Guan JL, Nakai Y (1997) Electron microscopic study of GABA-ergic synaptic innervation of nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus in the rat. Synapse 25:24–29
Wojtal K, Gniatkowska-Nowakowska A, Czuczwar SJ (2003) Is nitric oxide involved in the anticonvulsant action of antiepileptic drugs? Pol J Pharmacol 55:535–542
Wyse AT, Bavaresco CS, Bandinelli C, Streck EL, Franzon R, Dutra-Filho CS, Wajner M (2001) Nitric oxide synthase inhibition by L-NAME prevents the decrease of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in midbrain of rats subjected to arginine administration. Neurochem Res 26:515–520
Wyse AT, Zugno AI, Streck EL, Matté C, Calcagnotto T, Wannmacher CM, Wajner M (2002) Inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in hippocampus of rats subjected to acute administration of homocysteine is prevented by vitamins E and C treatment. Neurochem Res 27:1685–1689
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of Serbia, Grant No. 145029B.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hrnčić, D., Rašić-Marković, A., Krstić, D. et al. The Role of Nitric Oxide in Homocysteine Thiolactone-Induced Seizures in Adult Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol 30, 219–231 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-009-9444-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-009-9444-9