Effects of Vitamin E on seizure frequency, electroencephalogram findings, and oxidative stress status of refractory epileptic patients.
BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress has been a frequent finding in epileptic patients receiving antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In this study, the influence of Vitamin E on the antiseizure activity and redox state of patients treated with carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and levetiracetam has been investigated.


METHODS
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 65 epileptic patients with chronic antiepileptic intake. The subjects received 400 IU/day of Vitamin E or placebo for 6 months. Seizure frequency, electroencephalogram (EEG), and redox state markers were measured monthly through the study.


RESULTS
Total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione were significantly higher in Vitamin E received group compared with controls (P < 0.05) whereas malodialdehyde levels did not differ between two groups (P < 0.07). Vitamin E administration also caused a significant decrease in the frequency of seizures (P < 0.001) and improved EEG findings (P = 0.001). Of 32 patients in case group, the positive EEG decreased in 16 patients (50%) whereas among 33 patients in control group only 4 patients (12.1%) showed decreased positive EEG.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this preliminary study indicate that coadministration of antioxidant Vitamin E with AEDs improves seizure control and reduces oxidative stress.
Department of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Jafar
J
Mehvari
Department of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Fataneh Gholami
FG
Motlagh
Department of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohamad
M
Najafi
Station of Health Research, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Aghaye
MR
Ghazvini
Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amirmansour Alavi
AA
Naeini
Department of Neurology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Mohamad
M
Zare
Carbamazpin; Vitamin E; electroencephalogram; epilepsy; levetiracetam; oxidative stress; sodium valproate