Effects of carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, valproic acid and levetiracetam on bone microarchitecture in rats

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Sarah Seberg Diemar
  • Anne Sophie Sejling
  • Pia Eiken
  • Maria Ellegaard
  • Ming Ding
  • Noémi Becser Andersen
  • Jørgensen, Niklas Rye

Background: Metabolic bone disease and fractures are a great problem for patients with epilepsy. The use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is known to play an essential role in the progression of bone loss by various pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AEDs on bone microstructure as an additional cause of an increased fracture risk in patients with epilepsy. Methods: Five groups of each of 12 female rats were orally dosed daily for 8 weeks with either carbamazepine (CBZ) (60 mg/kg), eslicarbazepine (ESL) (80 mg/kg), valproic acid (VPA) (300 mg/kg), levetiracetam (LEV) (50 mg/kg) or saline (control (CTL)). Following killing, dissected femurs were analyzed using X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and biomechanical testing. In addition, serum bone turnover markers (BTM) were monitored throughout the experiment. Results: Compared to CTL treatment, VPA decreased bone volume fraction by 19%, decreased apparent density by 14% and increased structural model index by 41%. No changes were observed in bone biomechanics nor mineral density evaluated by DXA or in levels of BTM. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that VPA affects the microarchitectural properties of the bone. The AEDs CBZ, ESL and LEV appear to have less adverse effects on bone biology and may be a better choice when treating patients with respect to bone health.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPharmacological Reports
Volume72
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)1323-1333
Number of pages11
ISSN1734-1140
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • Antiepileptic drugs, Fractures, Metabolic bone disease, Microarchitecture, Osteoporosis, Pre-clinical animal model

ID: 254520923