Expression of cyclo-oxygenase 2 in rat brain following kainate treatment

THE transcriptional expression of the mitogen-inducible cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) was investigated by in situ hybridization of kainate-treated rat brains. Kainate treatment rapidly induced COX-2 mRNA in neurons throughout the forebrain which was blocked by pretreatment with MK-801 or NBQX. Transient expression of COX-2 mRNA lasting about 8 h occurred in areas that were resistant to neuronal necrosis, while COX-2 mRNA expression persisted for 24–72 h in regions that were vulnerable. These results show that seizures result in increased COX-2 expression and support the hypothesis that COX-2 could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of delayed neuronal necrosis due to kainate excitotoxicity.