Effects of progesterone on glutamate transporter 2 and gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 expression in the developing rat brain after recurrent seizures

摘要

Seizures were induced by flurothyl inhalation. Rats were intramuscularly treated with progesterone after each seizure. Results demonstrated that glutamate transporter 2 and γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 expression levels were significantly increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the developing rat brain following recurrent seizures. After progesterone treatment, glutamate transporter 2 protein expression was upregulated, but γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 levels decreased. These results suggest that glutamate transporter 2 and γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 are involved in the pathological processes of epilepsy. Progesterone can help maintain a balance between excitatory and inhibitory systems by modulating the amino acid transporter system, and protect the developing brain after recurrent seizures. Research Highlights Immunohistochemistry and western blot revealed that progesterone promoted glutamate transporter 2 expression and inhibited γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus following recurrent seizures. Abbreviations GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid; GLT-1, glutamate transporter 2; GAT-1, GABA transporter 1