Aromatase Inhibition by Letrozole Attenuates Kainic Acid-Induced Seizures but Not Neurotoxicity in Mice

The study demonstrated that letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, significantly reduced the incidence and delayed the onset of kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in Swiss albino mice by decreasing the conversion of testosterone to the proconvulsant 17β-estradiol and increasing the levels of anticonvulsant metabolites 5α-DHT and 3α-Diol. However, letrozole did not mitigate KA-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. The protective effects of letrozole on seizures were reversed by finasteride and indomethacin, indicating the involvement of these neurosteroids in its mechanism of action. The findings suggested that letrozole could be a potential adjuvant treatment for status epilepticus.