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


Çolpak H. A., Canpolat M., Günay Canpolat D., Önder G. Ö., Yetkin M. F., Yay A., ...Daha Fazla

Akdeniz Diş Hekimliği Dergisi, cilt.5, sa.2, ss.109-117, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

ObjectivesThe 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 MethodsIn 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.ResultsElectrophysiological 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).ConclusionLevetiracetam 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.