Plasma leptin, neuropeptide Y, ghrelin, and adiponectin levels and carotid artery intima media thickness in epileptic children treated with valproate.
BACKGROUND
Weight gain is a common side effect of valproate (VPA) treatment, although the mechanism is not clear. Abnormal weight gain and obesity are associated with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Measurement of the common carotid artery intima media thickness (CAIMT) gives a picture of early arterial wall alterations and, currently, is considered a noninvasive marker of premature atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma insulin, leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), ghrelin, and adiponectin levels in children with epilepsy treated with VPA and to evaluate these parameters for early atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Twenty prepubertal children with idiopathic epilepsy treated with VPA were enrolled in this study. Body mass index (BMI) and fasting insulin glucose ratio (FIGR) were calculated, and the plasma insulin, leptin, NPY, ghrelin, and adiponectin levels; the lipid profiles; and CAIMT were measured for all subjects before the treatment and after a follow-up period of 6 and 12 months.


RESULTS
When pretreatment values were compared with those at the end of 6 and 12 months, the mean BMI values, plasma insulin, leptin, NPY levels, and FIGR were increased, whereas the plasma ghrelin and adiponectin levels, lipid profiles, and CAIMT did not change significantly at the end of 6 and 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that weight gain during VPA treatment may be related to increases in insulin, leptin, and NPY levels. Additionally, in this study, no increase in the risk for early atherosclerosis was determined by CAIMT in children with epilepsy treated with VPA.
Department of Pediatrics, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya University, 42080, Meram, Konya, Turkey. drhuseyintokgoz@hotmail.com
Huseyin
H
Tokgoz
Kursad
K
Aydin
Bulent
B
Oran
Aysel
A
Kiyici
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000367:Age Factors; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000097:blood*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
D052242:Adiponectin; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D054439:Ghrelin; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D014635:Valproic Acid