Serum, insulin, leptin and neuropeptid Y levels in epileptic children treated with valproate

42 SUMMARY Aydın K. Serum insulin, leptin and neuropeptide Y levels in epileptic children treated with valproate. Gazi University Medical Faculty Department of Pediatrics Thesis of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara-2003 Weight gain is a common side effect of valproate treatment. Potential mechanisms of valproate-associated weight gain are not yet clear. Decreased blood glucose level, impairment of betaoxidation of fatty acids, and increased insulin levels are some of the possible mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of insulin, leptin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in valproate-related weight gain. Body mass index (BMI) and fasting insulin glucose ratio (FIGR) were calculated, and serum glucose, insulin, cortizol, leptin, and NPY were measured in 20 epileptic children treated with valproate before treatment and after a follow-up period of 3 and 6 months. At the end of the three months the mean BMI values, the mean serum insulin, insulin glucose ratio, and NPY levels increased whereas serum glucose levels decreased. After a follow-up period of 6 months the mean serum cortizol and leptin levels increased in addition to BMI, NPY and FIGR. These results suggest that weight gain during valproate treatment is related to a decrease in glucose levels and an increase in insulin, cortizol, leptin and NPY levels. Key words: valproate, weight gain, insulin, leptin, neuropeptide Y