Serum lipids,vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in children receiving long-term valproate therapy

In this study, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were studied in children with epilepsy who had been receiving long-term valproate (VPA) therapy. Our purpose was to determine that whether or not there was any affect of VPA therapy on serum lipids, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels. The study includes 26 patients (13 males, 13 females) with epilepsy who had been receiving long-term VPA therapy and in 28 healthy children (14 males, 14 females). The age ranged from 14 months-12 years (8.22 +/- 3.64 years) and 9 months-18 years (8.97 +/- 4.85 years) in the study and control group, respectively. Because serum lipid ranges may be changed according to the age groups in childhood, the children were divided into three groups as follows; younger than < 5 years, between 5-10 years, and older than > 10 years. The duration of VPA use was between 10 months and 7 years (1.83 +/- 1.80 years). Serum VPA level changed between 42-108 micrograms/ml (75.09 +/- 21.42 micrograms/ml). When comparing the results we did not find any significant difference in all parameters including lipid profiles, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels between the groups (P > 0.05). Additionally, we did not find any correlation between lipid profile and age at start of therapy, duration of therapy, serum VPA level (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our findings showed that VPA therapy did not change serum lipids, vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations; therefore, we suggest that VPA may be safely used with regard to lipid composition, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in childhood epilepsy.     

儿童癫痫及抗癫痫治疗对血脂水平影响的研究

对１１４例儿童癫痫患者的血脂水平进行监测。结果发现癫痫本身对血脂水平无影响，抗癫痫药物治疗后总胆固醇和甘油三产高，且随治疗时间的延长差异更为明显，高密度脂蛋白无变化。丙戊酸钠对血脂无影响，而苯舀英钠，苯巴比舀，卡马西平可使ＴＣ，ＴＧ明显升高。     

Growth and lipid metabolism in girls and young women with epilepsy during pubertal maturation

Summary:  Purpose: To assess growth and the serum lipid profile in girls with epilepsy receiving monotherapy at a mean age of 12.6 years and approximately 6 years later.
Methods: A population-based cohort of 77 girls with epilepsy and 49 healthy controls participated in this follow-up study including two cross-sectional evaluations (age range, 8–18.5 years on the first evaluation, and 12.5–25.8 years on the second evaluation). Forty of the patients were initially taking valproate (VPA), 19, carbamazepine (CBZ), and 18, oxcarbazepine (OXC). Growth data were compiled, body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and serum total (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were analyzed.
Results: Linear growth and final height did not differ between the patients and the controls. At follow-up, the mean BMI of the patients who were off medication (61%) was similar to that of the controls, whereas the patients initially treated with VPA who were still taking any medication had a higher BMI. On the first evaluation, the patients taking VPA had low serum HDL-C, and those taking CBZ or OXC had high serum TC and LDL-C concentrations. At follow-up, serum lipid levels were similar in the patients off medication and the controls.
Conclusions: Neither epilepsy nor antiepileptic therapy affects linear growth or final height, but they may have unfavorable effects on body weight and serum lipid concentrations. Lipid-profile impairment seems to be transient if the medication is discontinued. Overweight is common in patients treated with VPA during puberty if epilepsy and medication continue into adulthood.     

Preliminary report on effects of oxcarbazepine-treatment on serum lipid levels in children

The aim of the present study was to assess serum lipid levels before and after treatment with oxcarbazepine (OXC) in children with epilepsy. We measured total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in 28 patients whereas only TC levels in 11 patients, during baseline period and at 3 months after the beginning of therapy with OXC. During baseline period, median values were: 4.38 mmol/l (IQR = 4.12–5.03) for TC levels, 1.72 mmol/l (IQR = 1.42–2.01) for HDL-C levels and 1.54 mmol/l (IQR = 1.29–1.96) for TGs levels. At 3 months, median values were: 4.38 mmol/l (4.10–4.95) for TC levels ( P  < 0.05), 1.57 mmol/l (1.34–1.93) for HDL-C levels ( P  < 0.005) and 1.8 mmol/l (1.23–2.34) for TGs levels ( P  < 0.05). Median serum lipid levels remained in the normal range, despite an increasing-trend at 3 months of treatment with OXC. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results.     

长期应用托吡酯、丙戊酸钠对于血脂水平的影响

目的 观察长期应用托吡酯、丙戊酸钠单药治疗对癫痫患者血脂水平的影响。 方法 连续入组长期单药应用丙戊酸钠控制良好的癫痫患者28例、单药应用托吡酯控制良好的癫痫患者30例,并选取健康对照60例,观察各组间血脂代谢指标的差异。 结果 丙戊酸钠组血清脂蛋白（a）水平显著高于托吡酯组（P<0.001）及健康对照组（P=0.003）,而总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、甘油三酯水平较其他两组无明显差异。托吡酯组的总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、脂蛋白（a）、甘油三酯水平较对照组均未有显著差异。 结论 长期单药应用丙戊酸钠有可能增加癫痫患者脂蛋白（a）的水平,而长期单药应用托吡酯对于血脂水平影响并不明显。     

Alexithymia,Suicide Ideation,C-Reactive Protein,and Serum Lipid Levels Among Outpatients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between alexithymia, suicide ideation, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and serum lipid levels in adult outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Seventy consecutive patients with GAD were recruited and evaluated. Measures were the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS–20), the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI), and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). All patients were assessed for: CRP, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceridaemia (TG), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were also evaluated. Alexithymic patients showed higher scores on almost all rating scales and altered serum CRP and lipid levels vs. non-alexithymics. In the hierarchical regression model, the presence of higher MADRS scores together with higher scores at the Difficulty in Identifying Feelings dimension of TAS-20 were associated with higher rates of suicide ideation. Although alexithymic subjects with GAD may show a CRP and cholesterol dysregulation, this latter seems independent on increased suicide ideation, rather to Difficulty in Identifying Feelings, and subthreshold depressive symptoms. Study limitations and future research implications are discussed.     

抑郁症患者血清胆固醇、脂蛋白和载脂蛋白的水平及其意义

目的 探讨抑郁症患者血清水平及其临床意义。方法 采用酶法及免疫比浊法检测６６例抑郁症和３６名健康对照者的血清胆固醇（ＴＣ），甘油三脂（ＴＧ），高密度脂蛋白－胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－Ｃ）低密度脂蛋白－胆固醇（ＬＤＬ－Ｃ），载脂蛋白ＡＩ（ａｐｏＡＩ）和载脂蛋白Ｂ（ａｐｏＢ）水平，并比较其中内源性抑郁患者（３４例）与非内源性抑郁患者（３２例），有自杀行为者（２５例）与无自杀行为者（４１例）的血脂水平。结果 与对     

Long-term treatment of children with epilepsy with valproate or carbamazepine may cause subclinical hypothyroidism

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate serum thyroid hormone balance in children receiving long-term therapy with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproate (VPA), and phenobarbital (PB). METHODS: We determined serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in 148 healthy children and 141 children with epilepsy who had been receiving CBZ (61 patients), VPA (51 patients), or PB (29 patients) for 12-161 months. In view of TSH values, three categories of subclinical hypothyroidism were considered: I, TSH greater than the control-group mean + 2 SD (4.37 mIU/L in our study) and <6 mIU/L; II, TSH between 6 and 12 mIU/L; and III, TSH >12 mIU/L. RESULTS: In all treated groups, mean T4 and FT4 levels were lower than in the control group, whereas the CBZ- and VPA-treated children additionally showed reduced mean T3 and TBG levels and increased mean TSH levels. In the group receiving CBZ, 8.2% had TSH values higher than the normal-range maximum, by comparison with only 3.6% of healthy children. The increase in TSH levels was particularly marked in VPA-treated children, accounting for 26% of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, in contrast to previous reports, suggest that CBZ and particularly VPA may induce subclinical hypothyroidism. This suggests a need for careful monitoring of TSH levels in children receiving CBZ or VPA.     

LDL phenotype B and other lipid abnormalities in patients with large vessel disease and small vessel disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Controversies concerning the significance of lipid abnormalities in stroke come mostly from the researches that studied lipid profile without considering stroke aetiologies. We investigated the prevalence of LDL phenotype B and other lipid abnormalities in stroke survivors with large vessel disease (LVD) or small vessel disease (SVD) (TOAST criteria) and in control subjects (CS). METHODS: We studied 30 patients with LVD and 41 patients with SVD screened out of 585 stroke patients and 30 CS who fulfilled the following exclusion criteria: cardiac disorders, renal or hepatic failure, diabetes mellitus, or treatment with lipid-lowering agents. At least 3 months after stroke, the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein E (apoE), and lipoprotein (a) [lp(a)] were measured and LDL phenotypes and apoE isoforms were identified. RESULTS: Patients with LVD had significantly higher concentrations of LDL-C than CS (p<0.05). They had higher concentrations of TGs and lower concentrations of HDL-C than patients with SVD and CS (p<0.05). LDL phenotype B was more frequent in patients with LVD (63.3%) than in patients with SVD (39.0%) or in CS (16.7%) (p<0.05). The concentration of apoE was higher in patients with LVD than in patients with SVD or in CS (p<0.05). The percentage of patients with increased level of lp(a) (i.e., >30 mg/ml) was greater in patients with LVD (36.7%) than in CS (10%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stroke due to LVD, but not SVD, have high prevalence of atherogenic lipid abnormalities, including increased frequency of LDL phenotype B and higher percentage of increased lp(a) level, like patients with other atherogenic diseases.     

Serum lipids and memory in a population based cohort of middle age women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relation between serum lipids and memory in a healthy middle age cohort of women. METHODS: For 326 women in the Melbourne Women's Midlife Health Project aged 52-63 years, serum lipids were measured annually, and memory was assessed during the eighth annual visit. RESULTS: There was a small but significant association between current low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations and memory; for total cholesterol (TC) the association approached significance. Better memory was associated with positive changes in TC and LDL-C based on lipid measurements three years, but not six years, earlier. Memory performance was lowest among women in the lowest quartile of current LDL-C values and among women whose LDL-C levels declined over the previous three years. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride concentrations were unassociated with memory. The association between memory and TC and LDL-C was primarily related to immediate recall and not delayed recall performance on the word list task. Low cholesterol has been linked with depression, but lipid measures and self-rated mood were unrelated. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum concentrations of LDL-C, and relatively recent increases in TC and LDL-C concentrations, are associated with better memory in healthy middle age women. Possible cognitive effects of cholesterol reduction should be considered in future studies of lipid lowering agents.     

Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between Lamotrigine and Other Antiepileptic Drugs in Children with Intractable Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose : We wished to determine the oral pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine LTG and to assess possible interactions with other AEDs in an unselected population of children. Concentration data in plasma and in CSF for lamotrigine as well as for the other AEDs are presented.
Methods : Thirty-one children, children and young adults aged > 2 years with intractable generalized epilepsy despite adequate duration and dose of at least three conventional AEDs were studied.
Results : There was a linear relation between the dose administered and the maximal plasma concentration, indicating that saturation of absorption or elimination mechanisms did not occur in the dose range studied. The median elimination half-life (t1/2) in patients receiving concomitant valproate (VPA) was 43.3 h; in patients receiving carbamazepine (CBZ) and/or phenobarbital (PB), it was 14.1 h; and in patients receiving both VPA and CBZI PB or other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), it was 28.9 h. No clinically important changes in the plasma levels of CBZ, VPA, valproate, ethosuximide, or PB were observed in the follow-up period (2–12 months). No dose adjustments of concomitant AEDs were necessary. The plasma concentration of clonazepam (CZP) was reduced when LTG was introduced.
Conclusions : The complex interaction between LTG and other AEDs in children with intractable epilepsy makes therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) desirable.     

Effects of antiepileptic drugs on delivery and early childhood--comparison among mono-therapies of valproic acid, phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital

The effects of antiepileptic drugs (AED) on infants during pregnancy and delivery were studied in a total of 82 epileptic mothers on various monotherapies; 29 cases receiving valproic acid (VPA), 20 receiving phenytoin (PHT), 18 on carbamazepine (CBZ) and 15 on phenobarbital (PB). While AED serum concentrations were low in most cases of VPA, PHT and PB except for one case of VPA which exceeded therapeutic limits, concentrations were within therapeutic levels in many cases of CBZ. Conclusion: When compared with normal controls, abnormal deliveries such as caesarian section were seen more frequently in epileptic mothers under AED treatment. In addition, infants in PB cases were shown to have significantly lower mean birth length, weight and head circumference, suggesting that PB may retard fetal growth. The incidence of malformation in cases of VPA, PHT, CBZ and PB, was 10.3%, 5.0%, 0% and 6.7%, respectively. There were five types of malformation: in VPA cases, spina bifida, Siamese twins and ventricular septal defect tended to be severe, while in PHT and PB cases, cor biloculare and hypospadias respectively were observed. In cases of VPA, serum levels in the umbilical cord were found to be 150% higher than those in the mother.     

胆红素和脂质对脑卒中发病影响的差异性探讨

目的探讨血清胆红素和脂质及其综合指数与脑出血(CH)、短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)及脑梗死(CI)的关系。方法对128例CH、108例TIA及104例CI急性期患者血清胆红素、胆固醇等指标进行检测,并进行对比分析。结果CI组年龄显著高于CH组(P<0.05)。TIA、CI组患者血清总胆红素(TBIL)、间接胆红素(IBIL)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)显著低于CH组(P<0.05或P<0.01),血清总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(n-HDL-C)水平及LDL-C/HDL-C、TC/HDL-CTG/HDL-C比值显著高于CH组(P<0.05或P<0.01);CI组患者血清直接胆红素(DBIL)/IBIL比值显著高于CH组(P<0.01),血清IBIL、HDL-C水平显著低于TIA组(P<0.05),血清LDL-C、n-HDL-C水平及LDL-C/HDL-C、TC/HDL-C比值显著高于TIA组(P<0.05或P<0.01),各组间其它指标间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论血清胆红素和脂质及其综合指数不同程度的变化与脑卒中关系密切。     

Low HDL cholesterol associates with major depression in a sample with a 7-year history of depressive symptoms

Long-term depression may increase the risk for adverse coronary events. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have in particular been suggested to underlie this connection. A total of 124 participants with a recorded seven-year history of depressive symptoms (depressed, n=63) or euthymic state (controls, n=61) underwent a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to confirm their psychiatric diagnosis. Total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, triglycerides, non-HDL-C and atherogenic indices (LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C) were assessed. The HDL-C levels were lower and atherogenic indices higher in the depressed group compared with the controls. Furthermore, those with HDL-C level below the gender-adjusted median (<1.54 mmol/l in women, <1.16 mmol/l in men) were 2.4-fold more likely to be depressed in a model adjusting for age and non-HDL-C (p=0.019). After further adjustment for educational level, marital status, alcohol use, daily smoking and overweight this association remained significant (p=0.049). These findings suggest that compared with the healthy controls, those with long-term depression may have lower HDL-C values and higher atherogenic indices.     

Comparison of Antiepileptic Drugs on Cognitive Function in Newly Diagnosed Epileptic Children: A Psychometric and Neurophysiological Study

Summary: Using a randomized parallel group study design, we compared the cognitive effects of carbamazepine (CBZ), phenobarbital (PB), and valproate (VPA) in children with epilepsy. Seventy-three children with newly diagnosed epilepsy were tested with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Bender-Gestalt test, and auditory event-related potentials (P₃₀₀) before and 6 and 12 months after antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. There were no significant differences in WISC-R IQs and Bender-Gestalt scores for children in any group at any of the three sessions. P₃₀₀ latencies were increased in the children receiving PB but not in children receiving CBZ and VPA. P₃₀₀ amplitudes were significantly reduced in treated children in all three groups, but amplitudes were not significantly different among the three groups. These findings suggest that PB may affect cognitive function of epileptic children and that the P₃₀₀ may be a sensitive additional procedure that can be used to assess the cognitive effect of AEDs.     

Early and persistent increase in serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations in epileptic children treated with carbamazepine and sodium valproate monotherapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate by a prospective, self-controlled method, whether treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ) and sodium valproate (VPA) monotherapy may alter serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in epileptic children. METHODS: Serum Lp(a) concentrations have been determined in 18 epileptic children before and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment with CBZ monotherapy and in 30 epileptic children before and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment with VPA monotherapy. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B concentrations and serum concentrations of biochemical markers of liver and renal function were also measured in the study participants. RESULTS: Serum Lp(a) concentrations were significantly increased at 6, 12 and 24 months of CBZ and VPA monotherapy. There were no significant correlations between serum Lp(a) and serum lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, concentrations of biochemical markers of liver and renal function or antiepileptic-drugs concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Children who receive CBZ or VPA monotherapy may have significant and persistent increase in serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations, occuring early in the course of therapy. It may be useful to measure serum Lp(a) concentrations routinely in epileptic children taking these antiepileptic drugs, especially in those that are already at higher atherosclerotic risk.     

The effect of chronic phenytoin treatment on serum lipid profile in adult epileptic patients.

Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A, A1, and B and gamma-glutamyltransferase (ggt) serum concentrations were measured in 100 adult epileptic patients receiving chronic phenytoin (PHT) treatment and in 100 control subjects. In relation to controls, patients showed higher HDL cholesterol, apolipoproteins A and A1, and ggt levels and lower LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B values; the significance of the results was greater in women than in men. Among patients, ggt levels were positively correlated with PHT plasma concentrations; likewise, a negative correlation was found between the apolipoprotein A/A1 ratio and the PHT and ggt plasma levels, and a positive correlation between the apolipoprotein A/A1 ratio and the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. These data indicate that PHT exerts a beneficial effect on the serum lipids profile.     

Short-term prognostic value of lipid measurements in patients with angina pectoris. The ECAT Angina Pectoris Study Group: European Concerted Action on Thrombosis and Disabilities

We studied the role of various markers of lipid metabolism, hemostasis and inflammation in a two year follow-up of 3,000 patients with angina pectoris, during which time 106 patients experienced myocardial infarction or sudden coronary death. Low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I were most strongly associated with increased coronary risk. The relative risk per standard deviation increase was 0.68 for HDL cholesterol (95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.84) and 0.66 for apoA-I (0.54 to 0.81). These associations were independent of other coronary risk factors, other lipid measurements, hemostatic factors, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The associations of total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB, and lipoprotein(a) with coronary events were not independent of HDL cholesterol or hemostatic factors. We conclude that HDL cholesterol or apoA-I, hemostatic risk factors, and CRP are important prognostic markers of coronary events in secondary prevention.     

Comparison the cognitive effect of anti-epileptic drugs in seizure-free children with epilepsy before and after drug withdrawal

We studied the cognitive effects of antiepileptic drugs (AED), by investigating epileptic children who were seizure-free for at least 2 years and who had undergone fixed monotherapy. Seventy consecutive epileptic children (25 with carbamazepine (CBZ), 22 with phenobarbital (PB), and 23 with valproate (VPA)) were examined by Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and auditory event-related potentials (P(300)) at three sessions: before AED reduction, then 1 and 7 months after complete withdrawal of treatment. There were no significant differences in IQ and subtests scores of WISC-R in any group at any of the three sessions. P(300) latencies were significantly increased in the children receiving PB but not in children receiving CBZ or VPA. P(300) amplitudes were increased but not significantly different among the three groups. These findings suggest that PB may affect cognitive function on children, but the changes of P(300) latencies may improve after discontinuation.