The Effect of Gestational Exposure of Sodium Cromoglycate on Epileptiform Activities in the Rat Offspring

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases globally. Mast cells are known to be the main source of brain histamine, which is identified as being involved in seizure modulation. Sodium cromoglycate is a popular mast cell stabilizer and is proposed as the first line therapy in chronic asthma and systemic mastocytosis. Considering the importance of gestational period in brain formation and given the apparent role of the histaminergic system in developmental stages, the question arises as to whether gestational exposure to sodium cromoglycate can impact epileptic susceptibility in the offspring.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gestational exposure of sodium cromoglycate on pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptiform activities in the rat offspring.

Twelve pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n=4) including: two treatment groups which received intraperitoneal Sodium cromoglycate in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg once daily at the last week of pregnancy, and the control group which only received Phosphate-buffered saline at the same amount (0.5 ml) and the same order. At postnatal day 12, eight male pups were selected from each group’s offspring. Anesthetized pups were transferred to stereotaxic frame and silver electrodes were implanted surgically over the brain cortex. After recovery, pups were placed into the recording chamber and pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptiform activities were measured.

Electrographic data showed a decrement in seizure latency and increment in frequency/amplitude of the spikes in sodium cromoglycate groups in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Also, Parallel behavioral observations were consistent with the electrographic data.

The obtained results reveal enhanced epileptiform activity in developing rats due to prenatal exposure to sodium cromoglycate