title: Trace element, oxidant, and antioxidant enzyme values in blood of children with refractory epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum levels of some trace elements, oxidants, and antioxidants in children with intractable epilepsy compared to healthy children.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a case-control study, 40 children (24 males and 16 females) suffering from refractory generalized epileptic seizures were compared with 40 sex- and age-matched healthy children serve as a control group. Serum selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) values were measured in the patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma MDA values of the patient group were significantly ( p < 0.001) higher than those in control. Serum Zn, Se, and erythrocyte GSH-Px values of the patient group are significantly ( p < 0.001) lower than those in control, although there is no statistical difference in Cu and SOD values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma MDA, erythrocyte GSH-Px, and trace elements Zn and Se may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy in children.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine.
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.forename: Asmaa F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Reda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D016877:Oxidants; D014131:Trace Elements; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase