Molecular analysis of potassium channels of brain tissue in epileptic rats applied with a chronic magnetic field

Aim: To investigate the expression levels of Big Potassium (BK) channels in the hippocampus and pons tissue of rats between groups formed with experimental animals, this study has been handled to show the effect of pulsatif magnetic field on the mechanism of epilepsy. Metarials and Methods: A total of 40 Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8). Group 1 (Control) rats were given 0.5 cc saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) every 2 days for 1 month. Group 2 (PTZ) rats were given 35 mg/kg pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) i.p every 2 days for 1 month to create chronic epilepsy. Group 3 (Positive Control) PTZ procedure was applied 20 minutes after rats were given 108 mg/kg Levetiracetam i.p. every 2 days for 1 month. Group 4 (Magnetic Field (MA)) rats were applied 1.5 mT pulsed magnetic field for 3 hours a day for 1 month. Group 5 (PTZ + MA) rats were applied 1.5 mT pulsed magnetic field for 3 hours a day for 1 month in addition to PTZ application. At the end of month, the brain tissue of the rats were dissected for the pathological examination. Result: Significant increase in c-Fos protein expression was observed in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the experimental groups. Pathology analysis revealed severe neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus region. BK channel expression in the frontal cortex was significantly increased in the PTZ group, MA group, and PTZ+MA group compared to the control group. In the hippocampus, however, ion channel expression was decreased in the positive control group compared to all other groups. Conclution: The results of magnetic field application and BK channel are good candidates to be evaluated in the control of seizures. Results should be improved with electrophysiological ion channel current measurements. Key Words: PTZ Kidling Model; Magnetic Field; BK Channels; Paroxysm