Evaluation of erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy and treated with valproic acid for idiopathic epilepsy

The aim of this study is to evaluate the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with newly diagnosed primary idiopathic epilepsy before treatment and in patients treated with valproic acid for primary idiopathic epilepsy. A total of 69 cases including twenty-four patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy, 24 patients treated with valproic acid for idiopathic epilepsy and 21 healthy children were included in the study. Malonyldialdyde as an indicator of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants enzymes including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in the erythrocytes of patients. The levels of malonyldialdeyhyde were decreased and activity of superoxide dismutase was increased in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy when compared to control and valproic acid treated group. Glutathione peroxidase levels did not differ between the groups. There was a positive correlation between superoxide dismutase activity and duration of valproic acid treatment. In conclusion, oxidant-antioxidant status is impaired in patients with primary idiopathic epilepsy and organism tries to decrease lipid peroxidation by activating the scavenger systems. Valproic acid which is frequently used in childhood epilepsy may modify the balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems.