In utero Exposure to Oxcarbazepine Causes Congenital Anomalies in Albino Rat Fetuses

Aims: Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is a newer antiepileptic agent that has recently become increasingly used either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other AEDs in adults, adolescents, and children with partial epilepsy. Our aim was to define the the potential risks of the anti-epileptic drug (OXC) orally administered daily to the pregnant rats.

Methodology: The pregnant rats administered from 7th till 20th day of gestation with 108 mg/kg oxcarbazepine (Human equivalent dose (HED)). All pregnant rats of the two groups were sacrificed and the growth parameters, skeletal malformation and the histopathology of liver, kidney and brain of the fetus were examined.

Results: Our results showed that Oxcarbazepine induced a reduction in the fetal weight and length, delayed, weak and incomplete ossification, wavy ribs and the fetal liver revealed histopathological changes, degenerated hepatocytes possessed karyorrhexed or karyolysed nuclei, the congestion of blood vessels and sinusoids. Kidney revealed alternation changes, shrinked glomeruli, widened capsular space of the Bowman's capsule, hydrophobic degeneration of the tubules and cytoplasmic vacuole. Brain (cerebral cortex) showed neurodegenerative changes, marked neuronal cell degeneration, disorganization of the brain tissue, numerous pyknotised cells and vacuolization of the neuropil. Biochemical studies showed that OXC induced a reduction in the level GSH and catalase compared to control group.

Conclusion: These support and proof the potential risks of the OXC administration on fetus.