In vivo and in vitro effects of pilocarpine: Relevance to ictogenesis

Nicola Marchi, Emily Oby, Ayush Batra, Laura Uva, Marco De Curtis, Nadia Hernandez, Anette Van Boxel-Dezaire, Imad Najm, Damir Janigro*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

116 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: A common experimental model of status epilepticus (SE) utilizes intraperitoneal administration of the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine preceded by methyl-scopolamine treatment. Currently, activation of cholinergic neurons is recognized as the only factor triggering pilocarpine SE. However, cholinergic receptors are also widely distributed systemically and pretreatment with methyl-scopolamine may not be sufficient to counteract the effects of systemically injected pilocarpine. The extent of such peripheral events and the contribution to SE are unknown and the possibility that pilocarpine also induces SE by peripheral actions is yet untested. Methods: We measured in vivo at onset of SE: brain and blood pilocarpine levels, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, T-lymphocyte activation and serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. The effects of pilocarpine on neuronal excitability was assessed in vitro on hippocampal slices or whole guinea pig brain preparations in presence of physiologic or elevated [K+]out. Results: Pilocarpine blood and brain levels at SE were 1400 ± 200 μM and 200 ± 80 μM, respectively. In vivo, after pilocarpine injection, increased serum IL-1β, decreased CD4:CD8 T-lymphocyte ratios and focal BBB leakage were observed. In vitro, pilocarpine failed to exert significant synchronized epileptiform activity when applied at concentrations identical or higher to levels measured in vivo. Intense electrographic seizure-like events occurred only in the copresence of levels of K+ (6 mM) mimicking BBB leakage. Conclusions: Early systemic events increasing BBB permeability may promote entry of cofactors (e. g. K+) into the brain leading to pilocarpine-induced SE. Disturbance of brain homeostasis represents an etiological factor contributing to pilocarpine seizures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1934-1946
Number of pages13
JournalEpilepsia
Volume48
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2007

Keywords

  • Blood-brain barrier
  • Electrophysiology
  • Inflammation
  • Muscarinic receptors
  • Status epilepticus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • General Neuroscience

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