Investıgatıon of the relatıon between oxıdatıve stress and carnıtıne levels ın epıleptıc chıldren treated wıth valproıc acıd or carbamazepıne

Valproic acid and carbamazepine are antiepileptic drugs that are widely used to treat different types of epilepsy. Development of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels have been reported in some patients receiving valproic acid or carbamazepine. Excess of reactive oxygen species production and/or deficiency of antioxidants result in oxidative stress. Free oxygen radicals disrupt cellular structure and functions, ultimately leading to cell death. Increased oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of side effects of these drugs. The exact mechanism of increased oxidative stress due to valproic acid or carbamazepine has not been resolved yet. Both drugs, in particular valproic acid are associated with decreased blood carnitine levels. The antioxidant and antiperoxidative effects of L-carnitine have been described, but the specific mechanism is still unclearIn this study, we aimed to investigate the role of decreased carnitine levels in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress in epileptic children treated with valproic acid or carbamazepine. We also aimed to test whether weight gain could be related to increased oxidative stress in these patients.Forty- five patients treated with valproic acid, 25 patients treated with carbamazepine and 30 healthy children were included in this study. Free carnitine, TAS, thiol, TOS and OSI levels were measured and analyzed.We found significiantly decreased thiol level in VPA group compared to CBZ and control groups. There was no correlation between free carnitine and thiol levels or weight gain and thiol level either.