Epileptic discharges were induced 15 minutes after 0.1M FeCl3 was injected into the rat sensory motor cortex and continued for 6 months after the injection. In order to study the Fe3+ induced seizure mechanism, Fe3+ bound methemoglobin, free radicals, active oxygen, malondialdehyde and reduced and oxidized glutathione were measured in the foci of rats after the FeCl3 injection. It was found that Fe3+ induced a significant increase in Fe3+ bound methemoglobin, active oxygen and malondialdehyde and accelerated the glutathione redox reaction 5 minutes after the injection. Fe3+ was thought to induce lipid peroxidation by free radical reaction and thus produce the peileptic focus.
