The imbalance between oxidants and the antioxidant defense system in Li-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (SE) was studied by measuring lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH), total thiols (TSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) nd catalase in the cerebral cortex of mice. SE was induced by treating the animals with LiCl (3 meq/kg, i.p.) followed 21 h later by pilocarpine challenge (30 mg/kg, i.p), while control animals were administered normal saline. A significant increase (37.5%) in lipid peroxidation was observed in brain after the induction of SE. Concomitantly, the GSH and TSH levels were found to decrease by 16.7 and 19.1% respectively in brain of animals treated with Li-pilocarpine. This was accompanied by a significant increase in activities of catalase and SOD (40.8% and 81.4%, respectively) as compared to the control group. These results show evidence of neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex in terms of increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in levels of protein and non-protein thiol groups. Our studies clearly suggest that oxidant-antioxidant balance is disturbed in status epilepticus.

doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2006.130101