Effects of Carbamazepine on liver markers of Epileptics in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological diseases caused by an abnormal electrical discharge of brain neurons. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is widely used for the treatment of epilepsy. However, despite its use, it is not without effects on biochemical parameters. This study evaluated the effects of carbamazepine on plasma biochemical parameters in epileptics. Epileptics (n = 100) with different seizure types and age 18 – 50 years from Out Patient Clinic (OPC) in Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria and sex-matched control (n = 100) from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta were used. These epileptics were on CBZ for ≥ 6 months. Biochemical parameters such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) were determined in plasma. The results revealed that epilepsy is common in male than female subjects. By sex, AST, GGT and LDH increased significantly (p<0.05) by 18%, 30% and 2fold in male and 24%, 42% and 1fold in female epileptics compared to their respective controls. By age, GGT increased significantly (p<0.05) in subjects between 18 – 20years, and 31- 40 years as compared to the control. LDH activity also increased significantly (p<0.05) between 18 – 20 years in epileptics compared to control. Based on seizure types, ALT activity increased significantly in male with focal seizure (28. 15 ± 5.28 U/L) compared with male generalized seizure (22.47 ± 2.1.70 U/L) and unclassified seizure (19.58 ± 3.44 U/L). It is concluded that treatment with carbamazepine for at least six months causes an alteration in the plasma liver enzymes of epileptic subjects.