title: Oxidative Status in Epileptic Children Using Carbamazepine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an increasing attention towards the relationship between oxidative stress and epilepsy. The effect of antiepileptic drugs on oxidant status is of major interest. Antiepileptic drugs can increase levels of free radicals, which consequently might lead to seizures. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug commonly used in childhood and adolescence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Therefore we aimed to investigate the effects of CBZ on total antioxidant status, total oxidant stress, and oxidative stress index.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 40 epileptic patients and 31 healthy children between 4 and 12 years of age. Serum CBZ level, total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status were measured. Oxidative stress index was also calculated both in controls and patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the epileptic group, decreased levels of total antioxidant capacity, increased total oxidative stress and oxidative stress index levels were found. Positive correlation between plasma CBZ levels and total oxidant status was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antioxidant action could not be playing any role in antiepileptic effect of CBZ. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress induced by CBZ could be the cause of CBZ-induced seizures. Therefore combining CBZ with antioxidants could be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tutanc
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Recep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dokuyucu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altas
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeren
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vefik
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arica
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oktay Hasan
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sedat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Motor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cahide
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
keywords: Antioxidant Capacity; Carbamazepine; Oxidant Status