title: [Insulin resistance in epileptic patients during treatment of valproic acid].
abstract: To investigate the possible role of valproic acid therapy in the development of the weight gain and hyperinsulinemia of epileptic patients.
  
  
  
  The weight and fasting insulin levels were measured in 43 epileptic patients treated with valproic acid (VPA) alone and 39 patients with carbamazepine (CBZ) alone for at last 2 years. The body mass index (BMI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index were studied in the two groups.
  
  
  
  BMI was higher in the VPA-treated group (23.47+/-1.45) than that in the CBZ-treated group (22.27+/-2.10, P<0.05). Fasting insulin level and HOMA index in the VPA group were also higher [(6.64+/-0.79)mU/L and 1.33+/-0.21] than those in the CBZ group [(5.52+/- 0.52)mU/L, P<0.01; 1.15+/-0.12, P<0.01]. While BMI in the VPA group showed no significant correlation with plasma concentration and dose of valproate.
  
  
  
  VPA therapy is associated with significantly greater weight gain and hyperinsulinemia, suggesting development of insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: The Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. dingmeiping@tom.com
authors.forename: Mei-ping
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Ying-ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zhi-rong
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Long-long
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid