Possible Interaction: Homocysteine and Valproic Acid

“After 1 year of therapy, patients treated with VPA and CBZ showed a significant increase of the plasma concentrations of Hcy when compared to baseline data and controls values.”

“Moreover, an elevation in the levels of uric acid and homocysteine , together with oxidative stress, may contribute to atherosclerotic risk in patients under long-term therapy with VPA.”

“ Homocystein , known to induce vascular endothelial damage was found to be elevated in patients on valproate (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy.”

“On the other hand, the administration of a mean daily dose of 2070mg of VPA resulted in a 57% increase in plasma Vitamin B-12 concentrations over the baseline value and a 27% decline in plasma tHcy concentrations, although the mechanisms of such changes are unknown.”

“Serum HMC levels were higher in VA and CBZ groups than control group (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively).”

“ VPA downregulated levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), histone deacetylase (HDAC) and folate, and upregulated H(2)O(2) and homocysteine.”

“Plasma homocysteine levels increased several fold both in HC and HC + VPA groups and the increase was not particularly more marked in multiple dose groups than in the single dose groups.”

“It is advisable to measure reduced Hcy level in patients taking valproic acid.”