ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum antiseizure agent and one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for epilepsy. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of levetiracetam at its therapeutic range on the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty pregnant rats were divided equally into two groups (I-II), Rats in the group I were gavaged 1.5 mL/day distilled water in two divided doses throughout pregnancy. Rats in the group II were gavaged 1.5 mL/day distilled water (containing 36 mg levetiracetam) in two divided doses throughout pregnancy. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken and the sera were separated and used for biochemical analysis. The kidneys and livers of both groups were excised and used for light and electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Treatment with levetiracetam induced undesirable histopathological changes in the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. These changes were in the form of distortion of the hepatic architecture, dilatation of the central and the portal veins, widening of the Bowman's spaces, thickening and disruption of the glomerular basement membrane, fusion and effacement of secondary foot processes, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and swollen mitochondria with loss of their cristae. Such changes were confirmed by alteration of certain biochemical parameters related to the liver and kidney functions. CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam induced deleterious effects on the liver and kidney of pregnant albino rats. Further investigations are recommended to clarify the mechanism of levetiracetam toxicity.