The effect of levetiracetam on midline closure in early chicken embryos

Abstract

AIm: Genetic predisposition and some environmental factors play an important role in the development of neural tube defects. Levetiracetam is a new drug that has been approved in the treatment of partial seizures. We aimed in this study to determine the effect of levetiracetam on chick embryos. mAterIAl and methOds: One hundred and sixty fertile non-pathogenic Super Nick eggs were incubated for 24 hours and were divided into four groups of 40 eggs each. Levetiracetam was administered via the sub-blastodermic route. The eggs were incubated for another 24 hours. All eggs were opened at the 48th hour, and the embryos were evaluated morphologically and histopathologically. results:The effects of levetiracetam on the embryo were correlated with the dose of levetiracetam. In the light of the results, it was determined that the use of increasing doses of levetiracetam led to defects of midline closure in early chicken embryos.COnClusIOn: Levetiracetam, a new antiepileptic drug that is effective especially on calcium ion concentration, leads to defects in midline closure in embryos in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are needed to show the mechanism of embryonic damage and the mechanisms of its teratogenous effects associated with genetic and environmental factors.

Comparison of the effects of levetiracetam and valproic acid on neural tube defect formation in the chick embryo: an experimental study

“…However, the fact that the known teratogenic agents manifest this teratogenic effect of varying levels suggests that these agents either affect the folic acid mechanism at varying levels are also affected different biochemical paths. Similar studies done previously also have shown that levetiracetam causes NTD [16,17]. In the experimental study conducted by Ozer et al on chick embryos, it was shown that levetiracetam led to midline defects and a reduction in cell proliferation [16].…”

“…In the experimental study conducted by Ozer et al on chick embryos, it was shown that levetiracetam led to midline defects and a reduction in cell proliferation [16]. Ozgural et al reported that the concentration of calcium ions were affected and NTD prevalence increased depending on the dosage; and emphasized that genetic and developmental factors also needed to be considered alongside teratogenic effects [17]. The same effects were found to appear via the Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 in a study conducted by Duransoy et al [18].…”

Effect of gabapentin on fetal rat brain and its amelioration by ginger

“…Exposure to AEDs during a critical period in nervous system development causes long-term detrimental effects on the neural development (Kim et al., 2007). Various AEDs were found to induce neural tube defects in different animal models (Özer et al., 2012; Ozgural et al., 2015). The strongest evidence for drugs causing neural tube defects exists for valproic acid and carbamazepine (Mitchell et al., 2004).…”

The effect of phenyramidol on neural development in early chicken embryo model

“…There have been studies on early chicken embryo models, such as the effects of magnetic resonance imaging and cell phone use during pregnancy (9,21); however, too many studies have been performed with drugs. The drugs studied are antiepilectics, such as valproic acid, levetiracetam, lacosamide; analgesics, such as meloxicam, flurbiprofen, metamizole; folic acid antagonists, such as methotrexate; and myeline protector proteins such as glatiramer (3,6,7,13,15,16,18,20,22). One of the most common features of these studies is that they were conducted on early chicken embryo models.…”