Parkinsonism: A Rare Adverse Effect of Valproic Acid

Anticonvulsant activity of oxaprozin in a rat model of pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure by targeting oxidative stress and SIRT1/PGC1α signaling

The effect of oxaprozin (OXP) on experimental model of seizures in rats is investigated in the present study. Seizures in Wistar rats (200-250 g) were induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 60 mg/kg). The anticonvulsant effect of OXP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) is evaluated in seizure model. After behavioral tests, the animals underwent deep anesthesia and were put down painlessly. Animal serum was isolated for antioxidant assays (NO, and GSH). The animals' brains were also isolated to gauge the relative expression of genes in the oxidative stress pathway (Sirt1 and Pgc1α). Intraperitoneal injection of OXP increased the mean latency of myoclonic jerks and generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) and decreased the number of myoclonic jerks and GTCS duration compared to the PTZ group. Biochemical tests showed that pretreatment with OXP was able to restore GSH serum levels and reverse the augmented NO serum levels caused by PTZ induction to normal level. The qPCR results also unveiled that OXP counteracts the negative effects of PTZ by affecting the expression of Sirt1 and Pgc1α genes. Overall, this study suggests the potential neuroprotective effects of the nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory OXP drug in a model of neural impairment caused by seizures via the mechanism of inhibition of the oxidative stress pathway.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Oxaprozin is Beneficial Against Seizure-induced Memory Impairment in an Experimental Model of Seizures in Rats: Impact On Oxidative Stress and Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

There is substantial evidence that anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants have neuroprotective properties and may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this regard, the effects of oxaprozin (OXP) (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) on the experimental model of seizure and memory impairment caused by seizures in rats were investigated in the present study. Seizures in male Wistar rats (200-250 g, 8 weeks) were induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 60 mg/kg). The anticonvulsant effects of OXP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally) were evaluated in the seizure model. The effect on memory was assessed using the passive avoidance (PA) test. After behavioral tests, the animals underwent deep anesthesia and were euthanized painlessly. Animal serum was isolated for antioxidant assays (MDA and GPx). The animals' brains (hippocampus) were also isolated to gauge the relative expression of genes in the oxidative stress pathway (Nrf2/HO-1). Intraperitoneal injection of OXP decreased the mean score on the Racine scale compared to the PTZ group. Moreover, in the PA test, OXP caused a significant increase in retention latency (RL) and total time spent in the light compartment (TLC) compared to the PTZ group. Biochemical tests showed that OXP was able to significantly increase GPx serum levels and significantly reduce MDA serum levels compared to the PTZ group. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results also revealed that OXP counteracted the negative effects of PTZ by significantly increasing the expression of the Nrf2 and Hmox1 genes. Overall, this study suggests the potential neuroprotective effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug OXP in a model of memory impairment caused by seizures via inhibition of the oxidative stress pathway.

Valproic Acid: A Promising Therapeutic Agent in Glioma Treatment

Glioma, characterized by infiltrative growth and treatment resistance, is regarded as the most prevalent intracranial malignant tumor. Due to its poor prognosis, accumulating investigation has been performed for improvement of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in glioma patients. Valproic acid (VPA), one of the most common histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs), has been detected to directly or synergistically exert inhibitory effects on glioma in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we generalize the latest advances of VPA in treating glioma and its underlying mechanisms and clinical implications, providing a clearer profile for clinical application of VPA as a therapeutic agent for glioma.