Mohammad Afshar - Department of Anatomy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Seyed Adel Moallem - Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Medical Toxicology Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Javad Baharara - Department of Biology, Azad Islamic University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Toktam Takjo - Department of Biology, Azad Islamic University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Jafar Golalipour - Gorgan Congenital Malformations Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Objective(s) Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug that is used widely for the treatment of epileptic seizures. Neural tube defects (NTDs), growth retardation, and nail hypoplasia are the most common features of teratogenic effects of this drug. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin B۶ on the developmental toxicity of CBZ on mice. Materials and Methods Sixty BALB/c pregnant mice were divided into four experimental and two control groups. Two experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injection (IP) of ۳۰ mg/kg (I) or ۶۰ mg/kg (II) of CBZ on gestational days (GD) ۶ to ۱۵. Two other experimental groups received daily IP injection of ۳۰ mg/kg (III) or ۶۰ mg/kg (IV) of CBZ with ۱۰ mg/kg/day vitamin B۶ by gavage ۱۰ days prior to gestation and on GD ۶ to ۱۵. Two control groups received normal saline or Tween ۲۰. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD ۱۸ and embryos were harvested. External/macroscopic observation of fetuses was done by stereomicroscope and external examination for malformations was recorded. Data analyzed by ANOVA and X۲ test using SPSS software. Results The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both CBZ-treated experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups. Various malformations were detected such as brachygnathia, eye malformations, NTDs, vertebral deformity, brachydactyly and growth retardation. Vitamin B۶ treatment significantly reduced various CBZ-induced malformations. Conclusion This study showed that vitamin B۶ has a preventive effect on the developmental toxicity of CBZ in mice that can be pursued further for clinical research.

Carbamazepine, Congenital abnormalities, Pyridoxine, Teratology, Mice