EFFECTS OF TOPIRAMATE VS VALPROATE ON SERUM LEPTIN AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

Aims: To assess and compare the body mass index (BMI), serum leptin, and lipid peroxidation represented by serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in epileptic patients on valproate (VPA) and topiramate (TPM) monotherapy for at least 6 months taking in consideration dosage and duration of therapy, in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional, case-series study design was adopted, for this study, which was conducted from December 1st, 2012 to April 30th, 2013. Seventy-eight epileptic patients were included in the study divided into 2 groups. Group one included 37 epileptic patients on TPM monotherapy and group two included 41 epileptic patients on VPA monotherapy. Included in this study also 40 age and sex matched healthy subjects as a control groups. Fasting blood samples were taken from both the patients and controls and assay of serum leptin, Lipid. Body mass index were calculated using special equation. Results: By comparison, of epileptic patients with controls, there was a highly significant difference in serum MDA levels in patients on TPM monotherapy, with a highly significant difference in BMI and serum MDA levels in epileptic patients on VPA monotherapy. Non-significant differences were noted between both groups of epileptic patients with regard of the measured parameters. Conclusions: In epileptic patients, VPA therapy was associated with a significantly higher BMI in comparison to healthy controls. Both antiepileptic drugs was associated with raised oxidative stress as indicated by the significantly elevated MDA levels on comparison to healthy controls. Both antiepileptic drugs affects lipid profile parameters at different levels with insignificant effects on serum leptin level.