Lamotrigine Ameliorates Epilepsy during Pregnancy in Rats by Inhibiting Astrocyte Activation via the NLRP3/TXNIP Pathway.

This study was designed to investigate the impact of Lamotrigine (LTG) on astrocyte activation in epilepsy during pregnancy and to elucidate its potential underlying mechanisms. A rat model of epilepsy during pregnancy was established using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) injection. CTX-TNA2 cells were treated with IL-1β to activate astrocytes. NLRP3 expression was modulated using NLRP3 inhibitor and pcDNA 3.1-NLRP3 overexpression. Neuronal damage, apoptosis, and astrocyte activation were evaluated by HE staining, TUNEL staining, and immunofluorescence, respectively. Levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined by ELISA. Protein and mRNA expression levels associated with inflammation and astrocyte activation were analyzed by Western blot and RT-qPCR. LTG significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, TXNIP, and suppressed inflammatory responses. In vivo, LTG attenuated neuronal damage and apoptosis in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA1 region, accompanied by decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as reduced expression of GFAP, GLAST, and phosphorylated p65. Co-treatment with the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 further enhanced these effects. In vitro, LTG inhibited astrocyte proliferation and activation, whereas NLRP3 overexpression partially reversed these effects. LTG alleviates astrocyte activation and neuroinflammation in pregnancy-associated epilepsy, potentially through modulation of the NLRP3/TXNIP axis. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of epilepsy during pregnancy and suggest potential therapeutic strategies.