Objective: To investigate the expression of N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor subunit proteins after administration of different doses of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ).
Methods: After ip injection of a subconvulsant (35 mg/kg) and convulsant (50 mg/kg) dose of PTZ, the rats were decapitated at different time points. The levels of cortical NR1 NR2A and NR2B subunit proteins were detected by immunoblotting.
Result: 35 mg/kg PTZ and 50 mg/kg PTZ elicited different behavioral changes (P<0.001). The NR2A subunit in the cortex significantly increased 1 h after PTZ injection (P<0.05). For the 50 mg/kg group, both the NR2A and NR2B subunits proteins increased at 1 h in the cortex and then decreased; the protein levels returned to normal after 48 h. However, NR1 subunit had no changes.
Conclusion: The NR2 subunit is involved in PTZ-induced seizure.