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Journals / Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 5 Sayı: 2

Comparison of the Efficiency of Levetiracetam and Gabapentin on Neuropathic Pain Induced by Peripheral Nerve Damage: An Experimental Study

Periferik Sinir Hasarının Neden Olduğu Nöropatik Ağrıda Levetirasetam ve Gabapentin'in Etkinliğinin Karşılaştırılması: Deneysel Bir Çalışma

Halis Ali Çolpak(ETH Dental Clinic)0000-0002-5958-0084
Mehmet Canpolat(Erciyes University)0000-0002-2197-8433
Dilek Günay Canpolat(Erciyes University)0000-0002-8985-6918
Gözde Özge Önder(Erciyes University)0000-0002-0515-9286
Mehmet Fatih Yetkin(Erciyes University)0000-0002-2541-7107
Arzu Yay(Erciyes University)0000-0002-0541-8372
Gözde Ertürk Zararsız(Erciyes University)0000-0002-5495-7540
Sedat Ünal(Erciyes University)0000-0002-1518-010X
Sefer Kumandas(Erciyes University)0000-0003-0117-1218
Pages
109–117
Publication Date
2026-08-04
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Results Electrophysiological findings revealed that the Levetiracetam group exhibited similar nerve conduction parameters compared to the Gabapentin group.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objectives The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the usage of Gabapentin and Levetiracetam for the treatment of induced neuropathic pain in a peripheral nerve injury model.
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Key Findings & Data:Material and Methods In this study, a total of 31 Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Group I (Control) (n = 4), Group II (Sham) (n = 9), Group III (Gabapentin) (n = 9), and Group IV (Levetirasetam) (n = 9).
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Conclusion & Impact:Results Electrophysiological findings revealed that the Levetiracetam group exhibited similar nerve conduction parameters compared to the Gabapentin group.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Hayvan Çalışması · Gabapentin · Levetirasetam

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the usage of Gabapentin and Levetiracetam for the treatment of induced neuropathic pain in a peripheral nerve injury model. Material and Methods In this study, a total of 31 Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Group I (Control) (n = 4), Group II (Sham) (n = 9), Group III (Gabapentin) (n = 9), and Group IV (Levetirasetam) (n = 9). In all groups (except Control), the sciatic nerve region was accessed via a 1 cm surgical incision; in all groups except Sham, nerve damage was induced by ligation. Gabapentin and Levetiracetam treatments were administered to the relevant groups after nerve damage was induced. After conducting an electrophysiological evaluation under anesthesia on day 31 of the study, all animals were sacrificed, and nerve tissues were kept under suitable conditions for histomorphological and immunohistochemistry analysis. Descriptive statistics, homogeneity tests, and normality tests were used in the analysis of the data. Results Electrophysiological findings revealed that the Levetiracetam group exhibited similar nerve conduction parameters compared to the Gabapentin group. In the S100 protein density assessment, the values were found to be statistically significantly higher in the Levetiracetam group (77.41 ± 5.84) and Gabapentin group (80.41 ± 5.95), compared to the Sham group's value of 74.10 ± 4.56 (P < 0.001). In the neurofilament immunohistochemical assessment, the Levetiracetam group showed a statistically significant superiority with a value of 79.13 ± 8.16 compared to the Gabapentin group (P < 0.001). Conclusion Levetiracetam could be considered as an alternative treatment option to Gabapentin treatment in patients with neuropathic pain associated with peripheral nerve injury, and Levetiracetam is a promising agent.

Özet

Amaç Bu deneysel çalışmanın amacı, periferik sinir hasarı modelinde indüklenen nöropatik ağrının tedavisinde Gabapentin ve Levetirasetam kullanımını değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler Çalışmada toplam 31 Wistar albino sıçan dört gruba ayrıldı: Grup I (Kontrol) (n = 4), Grup II (Sham) (n = 9), Grup III (Gabapentin) (n = 9) ve Grup IV (Levetirasetam) (n = 9). Tüm gruplarda (Kontrol hariç) siyatik sinir bölgesine 1 cm'lik cerrahi kesi ile ulaşıldı; Sham grubu dışındaki gruplarda sinir ligasyon yöntemiyle hasar oluşturuldu. Gabapentin ve Levetirasetam tedavileri hasar oluşturulmasının ardından ilgili gruplara uygulandı. Çalışmanın 31. gününde anestezi altında elektrofizyolojik değerlendirme yapıldı; ardından tüm hayvanlar sakrifiye edilerek sinir dokuları histomorfolojik ve immünohistokimyasal inceleme için uygun koşullarda muhafaza edildi. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, homojenlik ve normallik dağılım testleri kullanıldı. Bulgular Elektrofizyolojik bulgular, Levetirasetam grubunun Gabapentin grubuna kıyasla benzer sinir iletim parametreleri sergilediğini ortaya koydu. S100 protein yoğunluğu değerlendirmesinde Levetirasetam grubunda 77.41 ± 5.84 ve Gabapentin grubunda 80.41 ± 5.95 olarak saptanan değerler, Sham grubunun 74.10 ± 4.56 değerine göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede yüksek bulundu (P < 0.001). Nörofilament immünohistokimyasal değerlendirmesinde ise Levetirasetam grubunun 79.13 ± 8.16 değeriyle Gabapentin grubuna kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı üstünlük sergilediği saptandı (P < 0.001). Sonuç Levetirasetam, periferik sinir hasarıyla ilişkili nöropatik ağrısı olan hastalarda Gabapentin tedavisine alternatif bir tedavi seçeneği olarak düşünülebilir ve Levetirasetam umut vadeden bir ajandır.

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Cite This Article

Çolpak, H. A., Canpolat, M., Canpolat, D. G., Önder, G. Ö., Yetkin, M. F., Yay, A., Zararsız, G. E., Ünal, S., Kumandas, S. (2026). Comparison of the Efficiency of Levetiracetam and Gabapentin on Neuropathic Pain Induced by Peripheral Nerve Damage: An Experimental Study. Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi, Cilt: 5 Sayı: 2, 109–117. https://doi.org/10.62268/add.1925401

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