Effects of antiepileptic drugs on concentration of serum proteins and immunoglobulins of epileptic patients

Serum of normal volunteers and serum of epileptic patients receiving either a single drug or combined antiepileptic therapy with Phenytoin (Phen); Carbamazepine (Cbz); Primidone (Prim); Phenobarbital (Phb) were examined and showed: 1. 1. No differences with regard to total proteins, albumins and A/G ratio. 2. 2. The α 1-globulin fraction increased to 4.4% with Phen/Cbz ( P < 0.001) and decreased to 1.7% with Phen/Prim = ( P < 0.001). 3. 3. The α 2-globulins corresponded to 7.2% ( P < 0.001) with Phen/Prim and 15.5% ( P < 0.001) with Phen/Phb treatments. 4. 4. β-Globulins decreased to 7.1% ( P < 0.05) when received Phen/Phb treatment. 5. 5. Low concentrations of serum γ-Globulins were found in Phb ( P < 0.001), Prim ( P < 0.001, Phen ( P < 0.001) treated patients. However, with Cbz, Phen/Phb, Phen/Prim this electrophoretic fraction remained within the upper range of normal. 6. 6. IgA of patients treated with Phen showed a mean of 60 mg/dl. Those patients with Phen serum levels below or above 12–20 μg/ml remained normal. Prim and Phb treatment also decreased IgA. 7. 7. IgD was normal in patients treated with Phen/Prim. 8. 8. Alterations of immune humoral responses to all antiepileptic drugs were found.