Positive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, on pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptic seizures in mice

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures and post-seizure hippocampal injury. Materials: Thirty-five male Balb-c mice weighing 30 - 33 g were divided into control, saline PTZ, s(erum physiologic 1 ml/kg as solvent), positive control (valproic acid 200 mg/kg), captopril (25 mg/kg/day for 7 days), and captopril (50 mg/kg/day for 7 days) groups. PTZ (60 mg/kg) was administered thirty minutes after medication administration to induce epileptic seizures. The animals were observed for 30 min to record Racine stages, the time of the first myoclonic jerk (FMJ), and the occurrence of the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS). Cornu Ammonis (CA)1, CA2, CA3, and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus underwent histopathological examinations. The levels of total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant status, TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in the brain tissue. Results: Compared to PTZ group, 25 mg/kg captopril decreased seizure scores and delayed FMJ and GTCS (p < 0.05). Histopathological assessment demonstrated that both 25 and 50 mg/kg captopril alleviated neuronal injury in CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG compared to PTZ (p < 0.05). Also, TOS and OSI levels in the brain tissue were reduced by both 25 and 50 mg/kg doses of captopril (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Captopril favorably improves epileptic seizure parameters and acts against post-seizure neuronal injury in the hippocampus. Captopril may be a drug of choice in epileptic individuals with hypertension. Keywords: Captopril, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Epilepsy, Pentylenetetrazole, Neuronal damage