Effect of carnitine on valproic acid concentrations in serum, brain, and liver.
This study investigates the influence of L-carnitine supplementation on valproic acid concentrations in rat serum, brain, and liver. Carnitine supplementation increased carnitine concentrations significantly in serum and liver but not in the brain. Free valproic acid concentrations in the brain were significantly increased by carnitine supplementation without any change of carnitine concentrations in the brain. The increase of serum-free valproic acid concentrations by carnitine supplementation apparently caused brain-free valproic acid concentrations to increase. This study suggests that L-carnitine supplementation to valproic acid therapy may potentiate valproic acid effects in the brain, even when the clinical dosage in humans is used.
Sakemi
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Takada
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D014635:Valproic Acid; D002331:Carnitine