Modifications of diazepam binding inhibitor and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients.

Recent experimental evidence has suggested that peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) may play a role in epilepsy and antiepileptic drug action. Since PBR are also present in circulating lymphocytes, and may interact with anticonvulsant drugs, this study was designed to look for possible modifications of these receptors and their endogenous ligand diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients treated with various drugs. PBR levels were 50% to 80% higher in patients treated with carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproic acid than in controls and untreated epileptics. DBI levels were significantly increased in the lymphocytes of untreated patients, and showed only a slight further increase after anticonvulsant therapy. The possibility that PBR and DBI modifications in the lymphocytes of epileptic patients may be linked to the immunological alterations reported in these patients and/or may represent possible markers of neurochemical modifications in the central nervous system is discussed.