Abstract
Epilepsy is a condition affecting 0,5 – 1% of the population in developed countries. Antiepileptic drugs can adversely affect bone health.
We report our findings in orchidectomised rats fed on levetiracetam-enriched diet for 12 weeks concerning the impact of levetiracetam (LEV) on bone markers, bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties. Compared to the control group we found lower fat mass, lower BMD in the area of the left femur, lower BMC (bone mineral content) in both femur a reduced OPG (osteoprotegerin), and an increased concentration CTX-I (corboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen) of borderline statistical significance.
Our results suggest that in the ORX-rat model LEV may affect bone mass of the femoral diaphysis (cortical bone) and suggest that LEV may suppress bone turnover. We may assume that the reduction in serum OPG levels could be explained by the inhibition of osteoblast activity.
But further studies in animals and humans will be needed to confirm these findings.