Characterization of Proechimys estral cycle in the lithium-pilocarpine Epilepsy Model

• Grant number: 18/10361-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Debora Amado Scerni
• Grantee: Viviam Sofia Sanabria Calvo
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The neotropical wild rodent Proechimys guayannensis is a direct host of pathogens (Trypanosoma, Leishmania, cestodes, and larvae) but demonstrates innate resistance to these organisms. This rodent is of interest in Neuroscience due to scientific results that reveal an endogenous antiepileptogenic mechanism. However, its physiology is still poorly known and the work done with this animal is not very enlightening and done mainly in males. The pilocarpine model is one of the most used models in the study of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (ELT) since it reproduces the main characteristics of this pathology in rats and mice. Studies in Wistar females have shown the influence of sex hormones on neuronal excitability, seizures, and Epilepsy. Therefore, differences related to gender and the possible susceptibility to epileptic seizures vary according to the estrous cycle. Thus, this work aims to determine if the estrous cycle in rodent Proechimys guyannensis interferes with the model of Epilepsy induced by pilocarpine and for this, we will analyze hormones and proteins that may be directly or indirectly related to endogenous antiepileptogenesis. In this work, we intend to deepen the studies during the critical period of the formation of Epilepsy and to clarify which hormones and proteins are present in a greater or lesser quantity conferring a possible neuroprotection against the development of Epilepsy in this species. (AU)