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Neurological Sciences

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01-03-2022 | Epilepsy | Original Article

Effect of ketogenic diet for drug-resistant epilepsy on immunological cells

Authors: May Fouad Nassar, Yasmin Gamal Abdou El-Gendy, Mohamed Tarif Hamza, Marwa Nasser Mohamed, Nesrine Radwan

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Background and aim of the work

Ketogenic diet (KD) is one of the treatments in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The current study aimed at assessing the effect of KD-induced ketosis on different immunological cells since ketosis is reported to affect neutrophil function.

Methodology

We recruited 21 pediatric patients diagnosed with DRE assigned to start KD. Anthropometric measurements, complete blood picture with differential count, phagocytic function, lymphocyte subsets, and IgG estimation were estimated initially and after 6 months of KD.

Results

There were no differences between the initial total leucocytic, neutrophil, and lymphocytic counts as well as the lymphocyte subsets, and the values after 6 months of KD. IgG values showed significant increase yet the values were still within the reference ranges. For the innate immune system, the phagocytic index was assessed and it showed a marked statistical reduction in patients after KD.

Conclusion

KD has no effect on neutrophil and lymphocytic counts as well as the number of adaptive and immune cells; nevertheless, it causes a reduction in phagocytic index in DRE. Accordingly, further detailed study for the full immunological profile and function is needed to ensure the safety of this therapeutic line and correlate it with the clinical history.

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Title: Effect of ketogenic diet for drug-resistant epilepsy on immunological cells
Authors: May Fouad Nassar
Yasmin Gamal Abdou El-Gendy
Mohamed Tarif Hamza
Marwa Nasser Mohamed
Nesrine Radwan
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Epilepsy
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05574-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effect of ketogenic diet for drug-resistant epilepsy on immunological cells

Abstract

Background and aim of the work

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and aim of the work

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

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