Iraqi Journal of Pharmacy

Abstract

Aim: To assess serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status
(TAS) as a representative of oxidative stress in patients with generalized epilepsy and
to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the antioxidant (vitamin E and vitamin C) on the
levels of MDA,TAS and frequency of seizures attacks after two months therapy. for a
period of two months as a supplementation therapy.
Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted in Iben-seena Hospital in Mosul
city-Iraq. Fifty three patients with generalized epilepsy were included in this study
(32 male and 21 female). The study included 40 apparently healthy subjects, age and
sex matched as a control group. Initially from both the patients and controls, blood
samples were taken. Another blood samples were taken from the patients 2 months
after vitamin E and vitamin C treatment, blood samples were analysed for serum
MDA and serum TAS.
Result: Serum MDA was found to be significantly higher ( P<0.001) and serum TSA
was significantly lower (P<0.001) in patients with generalized epilepsy prior vitamin
E and vitamin C supplementation in comparison to controls. After vitamin E and C
supplementation there was a significant reduction (P<0.001) in the serum MDA levels
with a significant increase (P<0.001) in the serum TAS. Also we found a reduction in
seizure frequency of greater than 70% after vitamin E and C supplementation.
Conclusion: a significant reduction of TSA was reported in patients with epilepsy.
Administration of vitamin E and C produced a significant reduction of serum MAD
levels and a significant elevation of serum TAS, associated with a reduction of greater
than 70% of seizure frequency. The study suggests the administration of vitamin E
and C as adjunct to antiepileptic drugs.