| Summary: | OBJECTIVE: Leptin is considered to be a signal factor that regulates body weight and energy expenditure, and there is a strong correlation between serum leptin concentrations, body mass index, and body fat mass in humans. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the role of leptin in valproic acid (VPA) and topiramate (TPM) related weight changes in epileptic patients.
METHODS: Body mass index is calculated and serum leptin and insulin levels are measured in 56 patients with epilepsy (40 patients taking VPA and 16 patients taking VPA and TPM) and in 40 healty control subjects.
RESULTS: Obesity was seen in 21 patients (52.5%) in VPA treated group, in 15 patients (37.5%) in the control group and in only one male (6.3%) in VPA and TPM treated group. Body mass index was lower in the group treated with VPA and TPM (p<0.001). Serum leptin concentrations were correlated with the body mass index (r=0.49, p<0.001) and were significantly higher in obese subjects (p<0.001) and in women (p<0.001). Serum leptin levels were significantly lower in patients treated with VPA and TPM (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: High levels of serum leptin in patients taking VPA and significantly low levels of serum leptin in patients taking VPA and TPM in our study are in agreement with the hypotheses that weight changes induced with VPA and TPM are related with the alterations in serum leptin levels.
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