The Effect of Oxcarbazepine on the Concentration of FSH, LH and Testosterone

Background and Oxcarbazepine is a widely used novel antiepileptic drug. In vitro electrophysiologic studies indicate that oxcarbazepine can block voltage-sensitive sodium channels, enhance the functioning of the neural membranes, and inhibit the propagation of synaptic impulses. It is also necessary to investigate the effect of oxcarbazepine on sex hormones because of its effects on the nervous system and the close neuro-hormonal association of this system with reproduction. In this research, the effect of oxcarbazepine was studied on the amount LH, FSH, testosterone Hormones and male reproductive physiology. Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental research involved 40 adult male volunteers aging from 25 to 45 years old. They suffered from epilepsy and were selected from those admitted to the neurological clinics of Shiraz, Iran, and were assigned into four groups of 10: Control group receiving no materials, and experimental groups receiving 150, 300, and 600 mg/day oxcarbazepine as oral tablets for 30 days. The study was conducted upon the permit of the ethics committee and after the informed consent was signed by the participants. After the termination of this period, the levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone Hormones in the blood were measured. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using Tukey, Duncan tests and ANOVA. According to the findings, plasma concentration of LH showed a significant increase (p<0.05), whereas in plasma concentration of FSH, no significant change was observed. Also, it caused a reduction in the concentration of testosterone (p<0.05). The use of oxcarbazepine can affect leydig cells in testis via hypophysis-Gonad axis and reduce the production of testosterone.