The Effect of Gabapentin on Liver Tissues and Enzymes in Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Gabapentin is a widely used anticonvulsant drug discovered in the 1970s in Japan it is synthesized by adding cyclohexyl group gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Although Gabapentin is a well-tolerated drug and is widely used for treatment of post-herpetic pain, partial seizures, restless leg syndrome. Several cases reported that gabapentin might cause drug-induced hepatic injury in patients without co-existing cause of hepatic injury, and caused significant elevation in levels γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate amino aspartate (AST) while internalized normalized ratio (INR), bilirubin levels, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were normal. Interestingly discontinuation of gabapentin treatment led to reversal of hepatocellular injury.
Materials and methods: Sixteen females randomly divided into two main groups (n=8), the negative control or (CN-Gr), which was fed usual nutrition and water Ad libitum for thirty days. The treatment or (Tre-Gr), which assigned as the Gabapentin (Brown & Burk UK Ltd (BBUK®)
and was allowed for the free access to normal rat chow and a single daily dose by gavage of 1 mL/rat of (BBUK ®) 400 mg/ kg of body weight, which was administered for 30 days
Results: Gabapentin treatment did not increase AST nor ALT; however, the serum ALP was significantly increased, hematological parameters were not affected by gabapentin treatment. Histopathological study showed evident congestion of central vein and congested of dilated sinusoid.
Conclusion: Even high doses of gabapentin (400mg/kg) for 30 days does not produce deleterious adverse effects on the liver nor the
haematological parameters. Further investigation is required to investigate even higher doses of gabapentin for longer time.