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Folate, homocysteine and methionine loading in patients on carbamazepine
Author(s) -
Apeland T.,
Mansoor M. A.,
Strandjord R. E.,
Vefring H.,
Kristensen O.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2001.103005294.x
Subject(s) - homocysteine , methionine , hyperhomocysteinemia , medicine , carbamazepine , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry , epilepsy , amino acid , psychiatry
Objectives – Some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are associated with low levels of serum (S‐FA) and erythrocyte folate (E‐FA) and high levels of plasma total homocysteine (p‐tHcy). We have explored the concentrations of S‐FA, E‐FA and p‐tHcy in patients on carbamazepine (CBZ). The methionine loading test was applied for better assessment of mildly impaired homocysteine metabolism. Material and methods – The study comprised 42 adult patients on CBZ and 42 matched healthy controls. Blood samples were drawn prior to and 6 h post methionine loading (6 h‐PML) (0.1 g/kg body weight). Results – The patients on CBZ had significantly lower concentrations of fasting S‐FA and E‐FA than the controls ( P =0.0004, P =0.003, respectively). Fasting and 6 h‐PML p‐tHcy concentrations were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls ( P =0.03 and P =0.0001, respectively). The methionine loading test identified additional patients with hyperhomocysteinemia undetected by fasting p‐tHcy. Conclusion – CBZ therapy may be associated with low folate and high p‐tHcy levels.