Effect of Allopregnenalone (AP) and 4 and #8242;-Chlorodiazepam (4 and #8242;CD) on the Lindane-induced acute and chronic convulsive behavior in rats

Neurosteroids (NS) are considered important modulators of brain functions. Lindane a pesticide has been shown to affect the nervous system adversely. The present study was designed to explore the modulation of the effects of lindane on convulsions by Allopregnenalone (AP), and 4 and #8242;-Chlorodiazepam (4 and #8242;-CD), in both acute and chronic seizure models using Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). We used acute and chronic models. In the acute model, seizures were induced by PTZ 90mg/kg, intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection, while in the chronic model, kindling was induced by injecting PTZ 30 mg/kg sub-cutaneous(s.c) on alternate days three times in a week. Lindane produced augmented effect on convulsions by decreasing the onset of preclonic convulsions and increased duration of clonic convulsions. AP (2.5mg/kg, i.p) and 4 and #8242;-CD (0.5mg/kg, i.p) were able to attenuate the effect of acute as well as chronic exposure of lindane. They significantly increased the onset and decreased the duration of convulsions in lindane-treated rats. These results conclusively demonstrate the efficacy of the neurosteroids in lindane-induced convulsions in both acute as well as chronic models. Thus, NS have a potential role as anticonvulsant in treatment of convulsions produced by pesticides like lindane.