Over-expression of 5-HT6 Receptor and Activated Jab-1/p-c-Jun Play Important Roles in Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures and Learning-Memory Impairment.

Cognitive impairment is a common comorbidity in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) that severely affects patients' quality of life. Also, serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 (5-HT6) receptor plays an important role in cognition. This study aimed to investigate effects of 5-HT6 receptor on learning-memory capacities in epileptic rats. Total of 36 adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into vehicle (n = 6) and epileptic group (n = 30). Status epilepticus (SE) was induced via systemic injection of pilocarpine. Epileptic group was sub-divided into vehicle, 10, 20, and 30 μg SB-271046 groups, six mice per group. Learning-memory performance of rats was evaluated by using Y maze and Morris water maze test. 5-HT6 receptor expression was examined using immunostaining and Western blot. The other six rats were used to make epileptic model and Jab-1/p-c-Jun were detected. Results showed that frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) was significantly decreased in pilocarpine-induced epileptic rats that treated with SB-271046. Alternation rate and new arm percentage were decreased in epileptic rats compared to control. The 5-day mean latency was prolonged in epileptic rats compared to control rats. During retention stage, mean latency, number of target crossings, and percentage of time spent in target zone were decreased in epileptic rats, but not in those treated with SB-271046. The number of apoptotic neurons was significantly increased in epileptic rats, which was decreased by SB-271046. 5-HT6 expression was significantly increased in hippocampus and cortex following recurrent seizures. Jab-1 level was decreased after SB-271046 administration. p-c-Jun level was elevated in epileptic rats and decreased in a dose-dependent manner after the SB-271046 administration. In conclusion, the over-expression of 5-HT6 receptor and activated Jab-1/p-c-Jun plays an important role in pilocarpine-induced seizures and learning-memory impairment.