Cholecalciferol enhances the anticonvulsant effect of conventional antiepileptic drugs in the mouse model of maximal electroshock
Abstract
The interactions between cholecalciferol, a precursor of the active form of Vitamin D(3), and conventional antiepileptic drugs (valproate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital) were studied in the maximal electroshock test in mice. Vitamin D(3) applied i.p. at doses of 37.5 and 75 mug/kg, but not at 18.75 mug/kg, significantly raised the electroconvulsive threshold. Furthermore, cholecalciferol (at its highest subthreshold dose of 18.75 mug) potentiated the anticonvulsant activity of phenytoin and valproate. The action of carbamazepine and phenobarbital was also enhanced by Vitamin D(3), but when it was given at the higher dose of 37.5 mug/kg. Cholecalciferol, antiepileptic drugs, and their combinations did not produce significant adverse effects evaluated in the chimney test (motor coordination) and passive-avoidance task (long-term memory). Cholecalciferol did not significantly increase the brain concentrations of conventional antiepileptics, indicating a pharmacodynamic nature of revealed interactions. Our findings show that cholecalciferol may play an anticonvulsant role in the brain and can influence the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs, at least in experimental conditions.
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Vitamin D and its analogues decrease the severity of seizures in animal studies.
“Vitamin D and its analogues have been shown to increase seizure threshold, potentiate anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs, and to decrease the severity of seizures in animal studies [194,195,196].”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [195]
Vitamin D and its analogues potentiate anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs in animal studies.
“Vitamin D and its analogues have been shown to increase seizure threshold, potentiate anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs, and to decrease the severity of seizures in animal studies [194,195,196].”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [195]
Vitamin D and its analogues increase seizure threshold in animal studies.
“Vitamin D and its analogues have been shown to increase seizure threshold, potentiate anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs, and to decrease the severity of seizures in animal studies [194,195,196].”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [195]
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- Authors
- Borowicz, K. K., Morawska, M., Furmanek-Karwowska, K., Luszczki, J. J., & Czuczwar, S. J.
- Affiliations
- Medical University of Lublin (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Borowicz, Kinga K.
- ORCID
- Morawska, Marta
- Venue
- European Journal of Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-11
- Volume
- 573
- Issue
- 1-3
- Pages
- 111-115
- ISSN
- 0014-2999 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2068197129
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Epilepsy research and treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
- Keywords
- vitamin D3, antiepileptic drugs, drug interactions, anticonvulsant activity, maximal electroshock test, electroconvulsive threshold, phenytoin, valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, pharmacodynamic interactions, epilepsy
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Anticonvulsants, Avoidance Learning, Carbamazepine, Cholecalciferol, Disease Models, Animal, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Drug Synergism, Electroshock, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Male, Motor Activity, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Mental Recall, Seizures, Valproic Acid, Vitamins, Mice
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