N 6 (197) 2025. P. 17–22

PENTYLENETETRAZOL (PTZ)-INDUCED CHRONIC EPILEPTIC SYNDROME AS A MODEL FOR LIPID METABOLISM IMPAIRMENT AND STEATOHEPATITIS

M. P. Pervak

Odesa National Medical University, Odesa, Ukraine

DOI 10.32782/2226-2008-2025-6-2

Background. The pathogenesis of chronic epilepsy is associated with the impairment of lipid metabolism and affects the liver.

The study aimed at investigating the serum lipid profile and liver histomorphology in a rat model of PTZ-induced kindling following the administration of rapamycin and pioglitazone.

Material and methods. Kindling was induced by repeated PTZ administration for three weeks; pioglitazone and rapamycin were administered during the last ten days. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL levels were measured colorimetrically.

Results and discussion. PTZ kindling caused dyslipidemia (elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL; lowered HDL) and histological signs of steatohepatitis, including activated Kupffer cells.

Combined treatment with pioglitazone and rapamycin was most effective in correcting the lipid profile and reducing heightened levels of cholesterol. The combination’s effect on cholesterol reduction significantly exceeded that of either drug administered separately (by 14.8% and 22.5%, respectively). Compared to untreated kindled animals, the combined therapy reduced triglycerides by 18.7% and LDL by 18.1%, while increasing HDL levels by 39.1%.

While the density of Kupffer cells exceeded that of the control group by 24.5% it was diminished by 20.3% compared with kindled animals after treatment with rapamycin and pioglitazone.

Conclusion. Fully developed PTZ kindling in rats leads to dyslipidemia and histological signs of steatohepatitis. Combined treatment with pioglitazone and rapamycin effectively prevented these disturbances while retarding seizure development, suggesting the model’s relevance for studying the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome.

Key words: chronic epileptic syndrome, dyslipidemia, steatohepatitis, metabolic syndrome, morphological changes.

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