Doctoral Researcher Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre, London Metropolitan University London, United Kingdom
Rationale: Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Indeed, excessive free-radical production (Ogunro P. et al. Archives of Applied Science Research 2013, 5:68-74) and reduced levels of antioxidant protection (Menon B. et al. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 2014, 17:398-404) have been reported in epileptic patients. There is an identifiable gap in reports regarding the antioxidant vitamin status of epileptic patients living in the Sub-Saharan African region. We have conducted a pilot study on the antioxidant vitamin status of drug-resistant epileptic (DRE) patients in Sudan. It has been hypothesized that persistent epileptic seizures increase the production of free-radicals, therefore, carrying the risk of increasing neurodegeneration and level of OS in epileptic patients (Shin E.J et al. Neurochemistry International 2011; 59: 122-37). We wanted to examine the strength in the relationship between the levels of key antioxidant vitamins and the number of seizures (endured at the time of recruitment) in DRE patients. Methods: Age and gender matched individuals with (n=15) and without (n=15) DRE were recruited from the University of Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan. Patients or their carers were given a diary to document meticulously the occurrence of seizures, and were assessed by a neurologist. Fasting whole blood, 5 ml, was obtained from both groups. Plasma antioxidant vitamins (α-tocopherol and β-carotene) were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography. Data analysis was carried out by Independent t-test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, respectively. Results: DRE patients compared with their healthy counterparts had significantly lower levels of α-tocopherol (4.77±3.5 µmol/L vs. 14.23±2.9 µmol/L, p= 0. 00) and β-carotene (0.05±0.06 µmol/L vs. 0.3±0.13 µmol/L, p= 0. 00). Negative correlations were detected between seizure frequency and levels of α-tocopherol (r= -0.45, p < 0.01) and β-carotene (r= -0.36, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This pilot investigation demonstrates that DRE patients have reduced antioxidant protection and this may have implications on seizure episodes. Funding: Please list any funding that was received in support of this abstract.: None.
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