Emerging evidence indicates that dysbiosis of gut microbiota plays an important role in epilepsy, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear due to the complex nature of both microbial composition and pathophysiology of epilepsy. We investigated effects of long-term probiotics supplementation on epileptic seizures, and inflammatory and oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers in a pentylenetetrazole(PTZ)-induced seizure model in rats.

Male Wistar weaner-rats were divided into four groups. The first two groups received 1 ml/day saline solution, while the other groups received 0.05 mg/1ml/day vehicle or 109cfu/1ml/day probiotic-mixture, respectively, for 60 days by gavage. Seizure was induced by a single convulsive dose of PTZ. Seizures were evaluated using Racine's scale. Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and brain tissue were determined using ELISA, while oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers were measured using an automated-colorimetric method.

Probiotics supplementation exhibited anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures by retarding onset-times of both myoclonic-jerk and generalized tonic–clonic seizure, and by shortening duration of generalized tonic–clonic seizure. Additionally, it alleviated PTZ-induced increases in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A, but not of IFNγ, in plasma and brain tissue. Moreover, it restored PTZinduced fluctuations in levels of oxidants TOS and disulfide, and of antioxidants native thiol and total thiol.

Our findings suggest that long-term probiotics supplementation exhibits protective effects against epileptic seizures, and alleviates (neuro)inflammation and oxidative stress related to pathophysiology of epilepsy. A probiotic-rich diet provided from childhood may provide prophylaxis against epileptic seizures, especially in susceptible individuals, as the neonate diet represents a fundamental extrinsic factor in establishing gut microbiota.

新出现的证据表明，肠道菌群失调在癫痫中起重要作用，尽管由于微生物组成和癫痫病理生理学的复杂性，其潜在机制仍不清楚。我们在戊四唑 (PTZ) 诱导的大鼠癫痫发作模型中研究了长期补充益生菌对癫痫发作以及炎症和氧化剂/抗氧化生物标志物的影响。

雄性Wistar断奶大鼠分为四组。前两组接受 1 毫升/天的盐水溶液，而其他组分别接受 0.05 毫克/1 毫升/天的载体或 109cfu/1 毫升/天的益生菌混合物，通过管饲法持续 60 天。癫痫发作是由单次惊厥剂量的 PTZ 引起的。使用拉辛量表评估癫痫发作。使用 ELISA 测定血浆和脑组织中促炎细胞因子的浓度，而使用自动比色法测量氧化剂/抗氧化剂生物标志物。

益生菌补充剂通过延缓肌阵挛性抽搐和全身强直-阵挛发作的发作时间，以及缩短全身性强直-阵挛发作的持续时间，对 PTZ 诱发的癫痫发作具有抗惊厥作用。此外，它还减轻了 PTZ 诱导的血浆和脑组织中促炎细胞因子 IL-1β、IL-6 和 IL-17A 水平的升高，但不能缓解 IFNγ 水平的升高。此外，它恢复了 PTZ 引起的氧化剂 TOS 和二硫化物以及抗氧化剂天然硫醇和总硫醇水平的波动。

我们的研究结果表明，长期补充益生菌对癫痫发作具有保护作用，并减轻与癫痫病理生理学相关的（神经）炎症和氧化应激。从儿童时期提供的富含益生菌的饮食可以预防癫痫发作，尤其是在易感个体中，因为新生儿饮食是建立肠道微生物群的基本外在因素。