Nicotine and Kainic Acid Effects on Cortical Epileptic Afterdischarges in Immature Rats

Abstract

Aim of the study was to test the effect of nicotine (NIC) and kainic acid (KA) co-treatment in immature rats. Male Wistar albino rats (two different age groups) were chosen for the study. Experiments started on postnatal day (PD) 8 or 21 and animals were treated twice a day for three days with nicotine, fourth day KA was administered. Animals at PD12 (PD25 respectively) were examined electrophysiologically for cortical epileptic afterdischarges (ADs). First cortical ADs in PD12 animals were longer, when compared to PD25 rats (group treated with both substances). Nor NIC or KA treatment affected the length of discharges in PD12 rats. Older experimental group exhibited the shortening of the first ADs (group treated with NIC and KA, compared with groups exposed to single treatment). Few changes were found in KA treated group – 2nd and 4th ADs were shorter when compared with first ADs. These results demonstrate that NIC treatment played minor role in seizure susceptibility of PD12 rats, sensitivity to NIC differs during ontogenesis and subconvulsive dose of KA influenced the length of discharges only in PD25 animals.