title: Serum carnitine, beta-hydroxybutyrate and ammonia levels during valproic acid therapy.
abstract: This study was performed in order to determine the effects of valproic acid on serum free carnitine, beta-hydroxybutyrate and blood amamonia. Serum free carnitine, beta-hydroxybutyrate and blood ammonia levels were measured in 24 epileptic children and in 24 age and sex-matched controls. The mean serum free carnitine level was significantly lower in patients taking valproic acid (33.5 +/- 13.1 nmol/ml) than in control subjects (50.8 +/- 14.6 nmol/ml) (p < 0.001). The mean blood ammonia level was significantly higher in patients receiving valproic acid (93.9 +/- 20.5 micrograms/dl) than in controls (79.6 +/- 21.4 micrograms/dl) (p < 0.002). The mean serum beta-hydroxybutyrate level was significantly lower in patients taking valproic acid (2.26 +/- 2.24 mg/dl) than in controls (4.38 +/- 2.43 mg/dl) (p < 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Toksoy
authors.forename: F N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Tanzer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atalay
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; D000293:Adolescent; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000641:Ammonia; D002331:Carnitine; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid