Neuroprotective effect of levetiracetam on hypoxic ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

Abstract

Based on these results, we believe that one mechanism of levetiracetam's neuroprotective effects is due to increases in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show the neuroprotective effects of levetiracetam in a neonatal rat model of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury using histopathological, biochemical, and late-period behavioral experiments within the same experimental group.

Comparison between the effect of human Wharton’s jelly–derived mesenchymal stem cells and levetiracetam on brain infarcts in rats

“…Indeed, ischemia caused accumulation of lactic acid because of anaerobic glycolysis leading to increased membrane permeability and consecutive edema formation. Sanchez et al 28 and Komur et al 29 pointed that LEV contributed favorably to the learning abilities of the rats and rescued memory deficits in hypoxicischemic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease model, respectively. 25 F I G U R E 3 A, Photomicrograph of the cerebral cortex of control group showing evenly distributed variable sized neuronal cells surrounded by eosinophilic neurofibrillary material, which contains normal glial cells: astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (H&E ×400).…”

Is levetiracetam neuroprotective in neonatal rats with hypoxic ischemic brain injury?

“…Following reports of the neuroprotective effects of LEV and several subsequent experimental studies, many researchers have begun to wonder if LEV could be useful in treating neonatal HIBI (13)(14)(15). Kilicdag et al (13) administered intraperitoneal LEV 80 mg.kg -1 to 7-d-old rats following hypoxia and continued administering LEV 40 mg×kg -1 ×d -1 for 7 d, and reported a signifi cant decrease in neuronal apoptosis.…”

“…In the present study, higher doses of LEV than previously studied (400 and 800 mg.kg -1 ) were administered in a neonatal rat model of HIBI, based on earlier reports of a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect (14) and because numerous animal studies did not report toxic effects at LEV dose of 1000-1500 mg.kg -1 (12). As reported by Kilicdag et al (13) and Komur et al (14), LEV was observed to be neuroprotective in the present study's neonatal rats with HIBI.…”

“…One study reported that LEV signifi cantly decreased apoptotic neuron numbers in a neonatal rat model of HIBI (13). Another study reported that LEV signifi cantly decreased apoptotic neuron numbers and improved cognitive functions in a neonatal rat model of HIBI (14). In contrast to these 2 studies that indicate the positive effects of LEV in a neonatal rat model of HIBI, another study reported that LEV did not have a neuroprotective effect in a neonatal animal model of HIBI (15).…”

“…Due to its intriguing characteristics, some have begun to use LEV for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) and several experimental studies on LEV for the treatment of HIBI have been conducted (13)(14)(15). One study reported that LEV signifi cantly decreased apoptotic neuron numbers in a neonatal rat model of HIBI (13).…”