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Trace element, oxidant, and antioxidant enzyme values in blood of children with refractory epilepsy
Khaled Saad1, Emad Hammad, Asmaa F Hassan
11Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine.
Insights
Children with intractable epilepsy show altered levels of key nutrients and oxidative stress markers. Lower zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), along with higher malondialdehyde (MDA), suggest their role in pediatric epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biochemistry
- Trace Element Research
Background:
- Intractable epilepsy in children presents significant management challenges.
- Understanding the underlying biochemical alterations is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
- Oxidative stress and trace element imbalances are implicated in various neurological disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum trace element levels (selenium, zinc, copper) and markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) in children with intractable epilepsy versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the potential role of these biochemical factors in the pathogenesis of refractory childhood epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 40 children with refractory generalized epileptic seizures and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
- Serum samples were analyzed for selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels.
- Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured.
Main Results:
- Children with intractable epilepsy exhibited significantly higher plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.001).
- Significantly lower serum zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) levels were observed in the patient group (p < 0.001).
- No statistically significant differences were found in serum copper (Cu) or erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels between groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated oxidative stress, indicated by higher MDA, and reduced levels of essential trace elements zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) are associated with intractable epilepsy in children.
- These findings suggest that zinc, selenium, and the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, along with oxidative stress markers, may play a significant role in the development and progression of intractable epilepsy in pediatric populations.
Purpose:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum levels of some trace elements, oxidants, and antioxidants in children with intractable epilepsy compared to healthy children.
Patients And Methods:
In a case-control study, 40 children (24 males and 16 females) suffering from refractory generalized epileptic seizures were compared with 40 sex- and age-matched healthy children serve as a control group. Serum selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) values were measured in the patients and controls.
Results:
Plasma MDA values of the patient group were significantly ( p < 0.001) higher than those in control. Serum Zn, Se, and erythrocyte GSH-Px values of the patient group are significantly ( p < 0.001) lower than those in control, although there is no statistical difference in Cu and SOD values.
Conclusion:
Plasma MDA, erythrocyte GSH-Px, and trace elements Zn and Se may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy in children.
