Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
1986-11-7
pubmed:abstractText
This study was initiated to examine the influence of valproic acid (VPA) on serum carnitine, as well as the possible etiological role of carnitine in VPA-induced fatal hepatotoxicity. Free, total, and short-chain acylcarnitine were measured in the serum of 21 pediatric patients receiving VPA therapy, 21 healthy matched controls, and 21 patients receiving various antiepileptic drugs other than VPA. The free carnitine level was lowest in the VPA group (p less than 0.05), and the short-chain acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio was highest in the VPA group (p less than 0.01). Patients receiving VPA polytherapy had lower total carnitine values than patients receiving VPA monotherapy (p less than 0.05). No correlation was found between serum ammonia and VPA drug levels. A 3 1/2-year-old girl developed hepatic failure under VPA therapy. Her serum carnitine values were normal. Despite the oral intake of L-carnitine this patient died. In this case, apparently VPA-induced hepatotoxicity was not associated with carnitine deficiency. The reduction of carnitine in the serum of VPA-treated patients is most probably due to alterations of fatty acid metabolism. However, neither primary carnitine deficiency nor VPA-induced secondary carnitine deficiency can be the only reason for the VPA-induced fatal hepatotoxicity.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0013-9580
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
27
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
559-62
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Serum carnitine during valproic acid therapy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Case Reports, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't