Search

The cerebellum is a potent anti‑epileptic target for deep brain stimulation in patients with drug‑resistant epilepsy. The effects of such stimulation, however, may also favor seizure activity. Our goal was to investigate the effect of cerebellar electrical stimulation (ES) alone and in combination with the anti‑epileptic drug diazepam (DIA) on seizure outcome. We used a rat model of pentylenetetrazol kindling, which is characterized by seizures followed by deteriorations in central benzodiazepine‑GABAA (BDZ‑GABAA) receptors. We tested the effects of ES alone and in combination with DIA (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg) on seizures. Our data demonstrated: 20 ES trials can prevent the recurrence of clonic‑tonic kindled seizures, administration of either DIA‑0.1 or ES (5 trials) alone is ineffective on seizures, and combining DIA‑0.1 and 5 ES or DIA‑1.0 and 5 ES caused an additive effect, prolonged the latency to seizure onset, and prevented recurrence of clonic‑tonic seizures. We also observed that ES alone produced either facilitation or inhibition of seizures on EEG. In contrast, the same ES inhibited EEG seizures when delivered after a combination of DIA‑1.0 and 5 ES and ultimately prevented the facilitation of the discharges. Lastly, we demonstrated that seizure suppression is intensified when cortical ES is performed after DIA administration. Our data supported the hypothesis that both BDZ‑GABAA receptor activity along with cerebellar output comprise the potential mechanisms underlying the peculiar effects of deep brain stimulation in the cerebellum on seizures.

The aim of the work was investigation of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity together with leukocytes functional stability indexes in rats with the experimental contact dermatitis (ECD) in conditions of complex pharmacological correction using deltaran and melatonin. Experimental trials were performed under conditions of chronic experiment on model chrome-induced ECD. Both deltaran and melatonin either alone or in combination were used for complex pharmacological correction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and also for stability of leukocytes. The data obtained showed the expressed disturbances of humoral and cell-mediated immunity and neutrophils' functional stability damage under conditions of chrome-induced ECD in rats. The revealed alterations in functional activity of the immune system were successfully corrected using the combined administration of deltaran and melatonin. The activity of medical complex had exponential character.