Carbamazepine does not alter the intrinsic cardiac function in rats with epilepsy.
Among the causes for sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) in epilepsy, the effects of antiepileptic drugs on the heart have been poorly explored. Based on this, the aim of our study was to evaluate the heart rate (in vivo and isolated ex vivo) and ventricular pressure (isolated ex vivo) of rats with and without epilepsy treated with carbamazepine. Four groups of adult, male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were studied: [A] control rats (n=8), received neither pilocarpine nor carbamazepine [B] carbamazepine-treated rats (n=8), received a daily dose of 120 mg/Kg, i.p. of carbamazepine for two weeks; [C] rats with epilepsy that received just saline solution (n=8); [D] rats with epilepsy that received a daily dose of 120 mg/Kg, i.p. of carbamazepine for two weeks (n=8). Our results showed significant increase in heart rate in animals with epilepsy (with and without the use of carbamazepine) when compared to the control groups in vivo. In contrast, we did not find differences during isolated ex vivo experiments comparing animals with and without epilepsy and despite the use of carbamazepine. Our results suggest that, in isolation, carbamazepine may not be a potential risk factor for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Colugnati
Diego B
DB
Paulist Medicine School, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Arida
Ricardo M
RM
Cysneiros
Roberta M
RM
Terra
Vera C
VC
Sonoda
Eliza Y F
EY
Pansani
Aline P
AP
Scorza
Carla A
CA
Cavalheiro
Esper A
EA
Scorza
Fulvio A
FA
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017725:Ventricular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine