title: Selenium, zinc, and copper changes with valproic acid: possible relation to drug side effects.
abstract: Side effects of treatment with the anticonvulsant valproic acid (VPA) suggested the possibility of alteration of trace metal status. Administration of VPA for 1 week produced significant depletion of zinc and selenium in plasma of rats and a one-third reduction of hepatic selenium. Patients who were treated chronically, with VPA as the sole anticonvulsant medication, had decreased plasma selenium levels. Most cases of VPA-associated hepatotoxicity occur in children. This could be due to decreased selenium concentrations when mechanisms for protection against peroxidative damage are not fully developed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid; D003300:Copper; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc