Effect of minocycline on amygdala kindling acquisition in rats

Introduction: Minocycline is a derivative of tetracycline that has anti-inflammatory, antiappoptic, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Since there is a relationship between cell death and seizure, the aim of this study was to examine the role of minocycline in development of amygdala kindling in Wistar rats. Methods: In this study, 21 rats were divided into three groups. After sterotaxic surgery and 1 week recovery period, rats received kindling stimulations (twice daily at 6 hour intervals). Group 1 (n=7) received daily kindling stimulations. Groups 2 (n=7) and 3(n=7) received saline (1 ml/kg) and minocycline (25 mg/kg), respectively, 60 min before kindling stimulation. Cumulative After discharge Duration (ADD), Cumulative Seizure duration (SD) and Seizure Stage (SS) were recorded and compared to the control group. Results: In group 3, intraperitoneal administration of minocycline for 10 days significantly reduced cumulative ADD (control group: 907.2±64.5, minocycline group: 717.8±67.9) [F(18, 216)=3.5, p<0.001] and cumulative SD (control group: 999.4±79.8, minocycline group: 776.1±77) [F(19, 228)=3.8, p<0.001] compared to control group (group 2). It also significantly increased the mean number of stimulations to achieve the seizure stage 3 (control group: 7.2±0.6, minocycline group: 11±1) (P<0.05), and 5 (control group: 10.7±0.1, minocycline group: 18.7±0.3) (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, application of minocycline increases the time required for amygdala kindling and may have anticonvulsant effects.