[Prophylactic efficacy of levetiracetam, valproate or phenobarbital on febrile convulsions in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study and compare the prophylatic efficacy of levetiracetam, valproate and phenobarbital on febrile convulsions in rats.


METHODS
Sixty Wistar rats were randomly administered with levetiracetam (200 mg/kg), valproate (250 mg/kg), phenobarbital (30 mg/kg) or normal saline (8 ml/kg) for 5 days. Five days later, febrile convulsions were induced by hyperthermal bath (45 Celcius degree). The latency, duration and the severity of seizures were observed.


RESULTS
In all the three drug-treated groups, the latency was significantly prolonged, and the duration and the severity of seizures were notably reduced compared with the saline group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The phenobarbital group had the shortest duration of seizures and the least severe seizures among the three drug-treated groups. There were no significant differences between the levetiracetam and valproate groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous administration of levetiracetam, valproate or phenobarbital is effective in preventing recurrent febrile convulsions in rats. Phenobarbital appears to be more effective than levetiracetam and valproate. There were no significant differences in the prophylactic efficacy between levetiracetam and valproate.
Cheng
Min
M
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Huang
Zhi
Z
Li
Si-Xiu
SX
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D012008:Recurrence; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010634:Phenobarbital; D010889:Piracetam