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Gender Difference in the Influence of Antioxidants on the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability During Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Hyperthermic Rat Pups

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Abstract

Our purpose in this study was to investigate the protective effects of selenium and vitamin E on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability in rats with convulsion under hyperthermic conditions. To eliminate the effect of sex on BBB, we performed our study on 4- to 5-week-old prepubertal rat pups. Evans-blue was used as a BBB tracer. Convulsions were induced by administration of i.p. pentylenetetrazol. In the selenium group, 4 ppm selenium was added to the drinking water for 4–5 weeks. Vitamin E was administered at 700 mg/kg ip. It was shown that the convulsions, both under normothermic and hyperthermic conditions, caused widespread increase in the BBB permeability (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant difference was observed among female and male rats (f [1, 102] = 6.387, p < 0.05). In convulsions under normothermic conditions, there was a further increase in the BBB permeability (F[3, 102] = 43.534, p < 0.001) and a greater increase of permeability in males compared to females (F[1, 102] = 6.387, p < 0.05). Selenium and vitamin E significantly decreased the BBB destruction caused by convulsions under hyperthermic conditions in males (p < 0.05). Treatment with selenium or vitamin E has beneficial effects on the BBB breakdown during convulsions. But gender differences are very important in BBB permeability under pathological conditions and antioxidant treatments.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Research Fund of University of Istanbul. Project number: 702/ 24032006.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, 34390, Istanbul, Turkey

    Baria Oztas, Sibel Akgul & F. Burcu Seker

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  1. Baria Oztas
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  2. Sibel Akgul
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  3. F. Burcu Seker
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Correspondence to F. Burcu Seker.

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Oztas, B., Akgul, S. & Seker, F.B. Gender Difference in the Influence of Antioxidants on the Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability During Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Hyperthermic Rat Pups. Biol Trace Elem Res 118, 77–83 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-0020-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-007-0020-1

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