Abstract

Introduction: Estrogen influences neuronal activity and there are controversial reports regarding its role on seizure. Also, previous studies have shown that estrogen influences the nitric oxide pathway in the nervous system. In this way, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of estradiol and soy extract as a phytoestrogen on pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizures and serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n =10 in each group) including intact control, sham-control, ovariectomy, vehicle, estradiol (100 μg/kg, subcutaneously), and soy extract (20 mg/kg, gavage). After 28 days of estradiol or soy extract adminstration, single dose of pentylenetetrazole was injected (90 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for seizure induction and latency to the clonic seizures was recorded. Serum levels of NOx were measured by Griess method. Results: Ovariectomy significantly reduced the latency of clonic seizures and serum levels of NOx. Estradiol significantly increased the latency of clonic seizures and serum levels of NOx (P < 0.05). Soy administration had not significant effect on these parameters. Conclusion: Ovarian hormones have influence on seizure and nitric oxide pathway anticonvulsant effect of estradiol is related due to modulation of nitric oxide pathway slightly. © 2018, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.