Synthetic kainate acid induces seizures in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of synthetical kainic acid (SKA) on inducing epileptic seizure in rats. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into normal control group, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg SKA-treated groups and kainic acid (KA) positive control group. The SKA was injected intraperitoneally. The changes of the epileptic behaviors were observed for 8 h successively and the electroencephalography was recorded for 3.5 h. RESULTS: SKA induced epileptic seizures at the dose of 5-12 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. No apparently difference between SKA and KA on the changes of epileptic behaviors or electroencephalography was observed. However, the epileptic seizure induced by SKA showed obvious stages, regular pattern and action steady. In addition, SKA caused lower fatality than KA did. CONCLUSION: SKA induces epileptic seizure in rats and the dose of 10 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection is the optimal.