Kainic acid-induced seizures in the rat brain cause severe brain damage that is thought to result, in part, from oxidative stress. In this study, we examine the consequences of systemic administration of kainic acid on expression of several genes that encode proteins thought to play roles in protection from oxidative stress, including metallothionein-I, and -III. Kainic acid causes an increase in metallothionein-I and heme oxygenase-I mRNAs, as well as an increase in c-fos, heat shock protein-70, and interleukin-1 beta mRNAs. The induction of these mRNAs is seizure dependent, and is greater in brain areas with extensive damage (e.g. piriform cortex) than in areas with minimal damage (e.g. frontal cortex and cerebellum). In contrast, little or no change in mRNA for metallothionein-III, manganese superoxide dismutase, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase ya subunit or glutathione peroxidase occur. The prolonged and robust concordant induction of the metallothionein-I and heme oxygenase-I genes may reflect the oxidative stress produced by kainic acid-induced seizures. In addition, the induction of interleukin-1 beta gene expression suggests an inflammatory response in brain regions damaged by kainic acid-induced seizures. Delineating the regulation of genes associated with oxidative and inflammatory responses can contribute to a fuller understanding of seizures and associated brain damage.