title: Increase in non-transferrin bound iron and the oxidative stress status in epilepsy patients treated using valproic acid monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the alteration of iron homeostasis and oxidative stress status in epilepsy patients treated with valproic acid (VPA) monotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 epilepsy patients receiving VPA monotherapy (12 men, 12 women, age 27.5 ± 7.2 y) and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The level of iron status parameters; serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), serum level of trace elements (copper, zinc and selenium), concentration of antioxidant parameters, activities of antioxidant enzymes and level of lipid peroxidation product were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NTBI was found in the patients although their other iron status parameters were normal. Levels of antioxidant parameters were decreased while activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased. Levels of serum MDA were significantly increased in patients with epilepsy. The daily dose of valproic acid associated was statistically significant: serum concentration of NTBI (r = 0.579; p = 0.003) and MDA (r = 0.465; p = 0.022). A positive correlation existed between NTBI and zinc (r = 0.522; p = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, VPA treatment in patients with epilepsy contributes to the metabolism of iron, leading to the formation of NTBI and an increase in oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ounjaijean
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Westermarck
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Partinen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plonka-Poltorak
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaipainen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fucharoen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srichairatanakool
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atroshi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid; D007501:Iron