Levetiracetam exposure during prenatal and postnatal period induces cognitive decline in rat offsprings, not completely prevented by Bacopa monnieri

Morphological and histopathological changes of maternal levetiracetam on the cerebellar cortex of the offspring of albino rat

Levetiracetam (LEV) is being used by women with reproductive-age epilepsy at a significantly higher rate. The purpose of the study was to assess how levetiracetam treatment during pregnancy affected the offspring's weight and cerebellum. Forty pregnant rats were divided into two groups (I, II). Two smaller groups (A, B) were created from each group. The rats in group I were gavaged with approximately 1.5 mL/day of distilled water either continuously during pregnancy (for subgroup IA) or continuously during pregnancy and 14 days postpartum (for subgroup IB). The rats in group II were gavaged with about 1.5 mL/day of distilled water (containing 36 mg levetiracetam) either continuously during pregnancy (for subgroup IA) or continuously during pregnancy and 14 days postpartum (for subgroup IB). After the work was completed, the body weight of the pups in each group was recorded, and their cerebella were analyzed histologically and morphometrically. Following levetiracetam treatment, the offspring showed decreased body weight and their cerebella displayed delayed development and pathological alterations. These alterations manifested as, differences in the thicknesses of the layers of cerebellar cortex as compared to the control groups; additionally, their cells displayed cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear alterations, fragmented rough endoplasmic reticulum and lost mitochondrial cristae. Giving levetiracetam to pregnant and lactating female rats had a negative impact on the body weight and cerebella of the offspring. Levetiracetam should be given with caution during pregnancy and lactation.

Morphological, biochemical, and histopathological effects of levetiracetam on pregnant albino rats and their offspring

One of the most widely used medications for epilepsy is the broad-spectrum antiseizure levetiracetam. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of levetiracetam on the bodyweight and liver of pregnant rats and their offspring. The study involved treating the rats during pregnancy and lactation and then examining the pregnant rats and their offspring. Two groups of 40 pregnant rats were created (I, II). Each group was split up into two smaller groups (A, B). About 1.5 mL/day of distilled water was gavaged to the rats in group I, either continuously throughout pregnancy (IA) or continuously throughout pregnancy and 15 days after delivery (IB). Group II rats received 1.5 ml/day of distilled water (containing levetiracetam) either during pregnancy (IIA) or during pregnancy plus 15 days postpartum (IIB). At the end of the work, blood samples were taken from the adult rats, body weight of different groups were recorded, and then, their liver was subjected for histological and morphometric analysis. Levetiracetam treatment showed reduction in the body weight of adult rats and their offspring and pathological changes in their liver. These changes were in the form of distortion of the hepatic architecture, cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear changes, and swollen mitochondria with loss of their cristae. Such changes were proved by alteration in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme levels of the liver. It is advised to monitor the liver functions continuously when using levetiracetam.