Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of caspase-3 in the brain of acutely pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-kindled rats.MethodsThe caspase-3 positive cells were revealed using immunohistochemical SP method. CMIAS image analysis system was used to analyse the expression of caspase-3 hemi-quantitatively. ResultsFollowing PTZ induced epilepsy, the expression of caspase-3 increased both in the hippocampus and in the cortex, and that was more remarkable in the hippocampus than in the cortex.ConclusionCaspase-3 may be activated during neuronal apoptosis after epilepsy. Hippocampus is more sensitive to the neuronal damage due to epilepsy than the cortex is.

Key words: epilepsy, caspase-3, cell apoptosis, pentylenetetrazole, rat