title: Effects of add-on melatonin administration on antioxidant enzymes in children with epilepsy taking carbamazepine monotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melatonin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, antiexcitotoxic, and free radical-scavenging properties in various animal models. The study was designed to assess its effects on the blood levels of antioxidant enzymes in children with epilepsy receiving carbamazepine (CBZ).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed the effect of add-on melatonin (6-9 mg/day for 14 days) on the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd) in 31 children with epilepsy receiving CBZ monotherapy, who were seizure free at least for the last 6 months. The interaction of melatonin with CBZ and its active metabolite, carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide (CBZ-E), also was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An increase in GRd activity was noted in the melatonin group as compared with a decrease of the same enzyme in the placebo group. Changes in GPx activity failed to reach statistical significance. No significant changes were found in the serum levels of CBZ and CBZ-E in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that melatonin exerts antioxidant activity in patients with epilepsy receiving CBZ therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India. madhurgupta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Madhur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Yogendra Kumar
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Sarita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Satinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aneja
authors.forename: Mani
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalaivani
authors.forename: Kamlesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kohli
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000975:Antioxidants; D010919:Placebos; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D008550:Melatonin; C012227:carbamazepine epoxide