Serum and muscle carnitine levels in epileptic children receiving sodium valproate.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether children with epilepsy undergoing valproate therapy and who are otherwise healthy have lower levels of serum and muscle carnitine. A total of 50 patients with epilepsy, 3 to 14 years of age, who were treated solely with valproate and free of abnormal neurologic findings or nutritional problems were selected. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children. The total carnitine levels in serum were 28.1 +/- 10.3 and 55.6 +/-7.3 microg/mL, and the free carnitine levels in serum were 16.5 +/-10.2 and 44.6 +/-7.3 microg/mL, the total carnitine levels in muscle were 12.1 +/- 1.8 and 45.3 +/- 5.9 micromol/g noncollagen protein and the free carnitine levels in muscle were 5.6 +/- 1.6 and 39.3 +/- 6.0 micromol/g noncollagen protein in the valproic acid-treated and control groups, respectively (P < .05). In conclusion, valproate monotherapy depletes both muscle and serum carnitine levels in otherwise healthy epileptic children.
Anil
Murat
M
Department of Pediatrics, Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. muratani11969@hotmail.com
Helvaci
Mehmet
M
Ozbal
Ebru
E
Kalenderer
Onder
O
Anil
Ayse Berna
AB
Dilek
Mustafa
M
D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D044967:Serum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014635:Valproic Acid; D002331:Carnitine