title: Lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, selected trace elements and minerals in the serum of children on valproic acid monotherapy.
abstract: We evaluated the serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, along with a number of minerals and trace elements such as Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn in a group of children after 6 months of valproic acid monotherapy. Thirty patients with seizures, mean age, 9.8+/-2.6 years and 79 healthy children (controls), mean age, 10.9+/-3.2 years, formed the two styd groups. The patient group was treated with valproic acid (27.9+/-14.8 mg/kg/24 hr). Patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations including liver function tests, NH3, lipid, mineral and selected trace element levels before and after six months on valproic acid treatment, whereas controls only one evaluation. Liver function data and NH3 levels were found to be elevated in the group of patients, whereas albumin level was reduced. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, apolipoprotein (ApoA)-1, Apo B and Ca concentrations were found relative to control values, LDL-C, VLDL-C, Mg, Cu, Zn, were measured significantly altered (P<0.0001) compared to controls. The ratios ApoA-1/ApoB, HDL-C/ApoA-1, LDL-C/Apo B, which were closely related to the size of LDL particles, where correlated with Zn/Cu (P<0.001). Serum lipid profile, especially LDL size, indirectly evaluated for the first time and metal levels were found to be significantly changed, after six months on valproic acid monotherapy, suggesting a possible risk of developing coronary heart disease. Since valproic acid is a long-term treatment, it could be recommended that the incorporation of measurements of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and trace elements in the "follow up" laboratory testing could be a preventive measure.
authors.affiliation: Parenteral Nutrition and Pharmacokinetics Unit, Aghia Sophia Children Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Karikas
authors.forename: Kleopatra H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Schulpis
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartzeliotou
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karakonstantakis
authors.forename: Sophia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgala
authors.forename: Ino
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kanavaki
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demetriou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Papassotiriou
mesh_terms: D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014131:Trace Elements; D014635:Valproic Acid