Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity of Epileptic Children before and after Monotherapy with Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine, and Phenobarbital

Background: Brain is highly vulnerable to free radical damage due to a large quantity of mitochondria, a considerable amount of oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids, a ratio of high oxygen consumption, and less antioxidant capacity. The experimental and clinical data suggest a putative role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of seizures and epileptic syndromes. Objectives: A case-control study was carried out to compare serum total antioxidant capacity in the newly diagnosed children with epilepsy and that of a control group of healthy children at the same age. Patients and Methods: A total of 130 participants (65 in each group) aged between 1 and 17 years participated in this study. Serum total antioxidant capacity was compared between two groups before drug administration. The effect of antiepileptic therapy on the serum total antioxidant capacity also was studied in children with epilepsy before and 3 months after antiepileptic drug administration. Serum total antioxidant capacity values were measured based on Erel's method using an automated commercial kit. This method is based on the bleaching of the characteristic color of a more stable 2,2’‑azinobis‑(3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulfonic acid) radical cation by antioxidants. The results were expressed in mmol Trolox equivalent/l Results: Serum total antioxidant capacity values was significantly lower in the patients group before drug administration [mean (SD): 1.31 (0.19) mmol/L] than that of the control group [mean (SD): 1.46 (0.21) mmol/L] (P < 0.001). In the patients group, no differences were found in the serum total antioxidant capacity before and 3 months after anticonvulsant monotherapy. Conclusion: Reduced serum total antioxidant capacity, and an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress should be considered in the children with epilepsy.