LOW-DOSE MK-801 PROTECTS AGAINST IRON-INDUCED OXIDATIVE CHANGES IN A RAT MODEL OF FOCAL EPILEPSY

We have used chemiluminescence measurements to examine the relationshi p between free radical formation and excitotoxicity in a post-traumati c epilepsy model. For this purpose, seven days after injecting iron in rat brain cortices, we measured luminol-and lucigenin-enhanced chemil uminescence in different brain regions (ipsilateral cortex, contralate ral cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus), In all brain regions (excep t contralateral cortices) both luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemilu minescence were increased in iron-injected group compared to saline-in jected control group. These increases returned to control values in ir on-injected rats pretreated with MK-801. Our results suggest that both free radicals and excitatory amino acids play important roles in the development of post-traumatic epilepsy and that MK-801 has protective effects against iron-induced chemiluminescence formation. (C) 1998 Els evier Science B.V.