The effects of carbamazepine and valproic acid on the erythrocyte glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and serum lipid peroxidation in epileptic children

Some epileptic drugs may change antioxidant enzyme activities in humans and experimental animals. Recent studies suggest that membrane lipid peroxidat ion may be causally involved in some forms of epilepsy, and the differences are reported in free radical scavenging enzyme levels. GSHpX, SOD, GSH are important parameters of antioxidant defence mechanisms. This study was und ertaken to evaluate the effects of valproic acid and carbamazepine (CBZ) th erapy on erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpX), sup eroxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation. During the treatment with V PA or CBZ, the erythrocyte GSHpX and GSH levels of epileptic children were significantly changed as compared to those of health control subjects. The mean levels of serum lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte superoxide dismutas e were not statistically different from controls. The methods used for inve stigation of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and serum lipid peroxidation were all based on spectrophotometric measurement. (C) 2000 Academic Press.