Status epilepticus (SE), i.e. ongoing seizures of more than 30 min duration, gives rise to bilateral pan-necrotic lesions of the substantia nigra, pars reticulata (SNPR). These are known to be preceded by an initial increase, followed by a depression of metabolic rate, and by failure of the bioenergetic state, suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction. We have previously shown that the spin trap alpha-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) prevents the lesions caused by 45 min of SE from occurring, in spite of ongoing seizure activity. In this article, we demonstrate that PBN, given 30 min before seizure induction, reduces or prevents the decrease in ATP concentration and adenylate energy charge, without significantly reducing the amount of lactate accumulated, or the decrease in intracellular pH (pHi). The results suggest that the spin trap nitrone preserves the structural and functional integrity of SNPR neurons by protecting the mitochondria against oxidative damage.

Institute of Physiology Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

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Epilepsy Research in the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague

The Free Radical Scavenger N-Tert-Butyl-α-Phenylnitrone (PBN) Administered to Immature Rats During Status Epilepticus Alters Neurogenesis and Has Variable Effects, Both Beneficial and Detrimental, on Long-Term Outcomes