EN
microRNAs are noncoding RNAs acting by degradation or destabilization of target mRNAs. Recent studies have suggested the contribution of miRNAs in neurodegenerative diseases, however its role in epilepsy remains still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in expression level of miRNAs in dentate gyrus of epileptic animals. Epilepsy was induced in adult Spraque-Dawley rats by status epilepticus evoked by electrical stimulation of the left amygdala (100-ms train of 1-ms biphasic square-wave pulses delivered at 60 Hz, every 0.5 s for 30 min). To determine the frequency of spontaneous seizures animals were constantly monitored with video EEG. Tissue was collected at 7, 14, 30, 90 days after stimulation (n=5). Total RNA enriched in microRNA fraction was isolated from the left dentate gyrus of epileptic and sham operated animals with miRNeasy mini kit (QIAGEN) and profiled using miRCURY LNATM microRNA Array 7th (EXIQON) with the miRBASE version 19.0. Analysis of miRNAs showed significant changes in expression of 66 miRNAs (P<0.05) in stimulated animals as compared to sham operated controls. Nine miRNAs were up-regulated, while 57 miRNAs were down-regulated. In silico analysis of miRNAs expression profile revealed potential genes targets for these miRNAs and hierarchical clustering analysis discriminated the epileptic animals from the controls. This data suggest involvement of miRNAs in epileptogenesis or epilepsy.