Monitoring of Sodium Valproate and Its Metabolite 2-Propyl-2-Pentenoic Acid in Blood and Analysis of Factors Influencing Hepatotoxicity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56147/jbhs.2.6.94Keywords:
- Sodium valproate,
- 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid,
- Liver injury,
- Plasma concentration,
- Logistic regression
Abstract
Objective: To investigate factors affecting the attainment of VPA plasma concentration targets in pediatric epilepsy patients and to analyze the relationship between 2-ene-VPA plasma concentration and VPA plasma concentration, dosing regimen, as well as liver and kidney function parameters.
Methods: Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric epilepsy patients treated at our hospital. VPA and its metabolite 2-ene-VPA plasma concentrations were measured, along with basic patient information and biochemical indicators such as liver and kidney function. Potential factors influencing VPA plasma concentration attainment were analyzed.
Results and conclusion: (1) Statistically significant differences in VPA plasma concentration were observed among the VPA group, VPA combined with LEV group, VPA combined with TPM group and VPA combined with LTG group (F=17.27, P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in 2-ene-VPA plasma concentration (F=0.045, P>0.05); There was no significant difference in VPA blood concentration between the two groups (P>0.05); (2) The dosage and formulation of VPA significantly influenced the achievement of target blood concentration (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the formulation, dosage and concomitant use of Topiramate (TMP) also had statistically significant effects on VPA blood concentration (P<0.05); (3) (1) In the VPA oral solution group, there was a correlation between VPA blood concentration and 2-ene-VPA blood concentration (P=0.035, R=0.176), while no correlation was observed in other groups; (2) The correlation between VPA dosage and blood concentration was low: VPA oral solution group (P<0.001, R=0.483), VPA sustained-release tablet group (P<0.001, R=0.516) and 15-30/(kg·d) dosage group (P<0.001, R=0.305); (3) No correlation was found between VPA dosage and 2-ene-VPA blood concentration; (4) VPA blood concentration showed correlations with Creatinine (CREA) (P<0.001, R=0.269), Total Protein (TP) (P<0.001, R=-0.158) and Globulin (GLB) (P<0.001, R=-0.229).
Conclusion: Sodium valproate exhibits significant individual variations in blood concentration. Dosage and formulation are critical factors affecting VPA blood concentration attainment. Clinical monitoring of blood concentration, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine levels is essential.
Downloads
References
Wen DS, Chen ZJ, Chen ZY, et al. (2025) Predictive biomarkers for valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity in Chinese patients with epilepsy: The role of metabolites and genetic polymorphisms. Food Chem Toxicol 205: 115670.
Kadam R, Palkar M, Pingili RB (2025) Mechanisms involved in the valproic acid-induced hepatotoxicity: A comprehensive review. Toxicol Mech Methods 35: 565-580.
Li Longkuan, Xie Juan, Wu Si, et al. (2015) Establishment of RP-HPLC analysis method for sodium valproate metabolite 2-ene-VPA. China Hospital Pharmacy Journal 35: 1654-1658.
Petrović S, Kovačević M, Vezmar Kovačević S, et al. (2025) Influence of patient age and sex on drug- induced liver injury caused by antiseizure medications: A disproportionality analysis of VigiBase. Int J Clin Pharm 47: 1384-1394.
Meng Y, Zhang M, Guo T, et al. (2023) Interpretation of the key points of the update of "China guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced liver injury (2023 edtn). China Journal of Liver Diseases 15: 1-5.
Xu S, Zhang T, Liu M, et al. (2015) The effect of compliance in monitoring blood drug concentration on the efficacy and safety of valproic acid in children with epilepsy. China Journal of Pharmacy 50: 1829-1832.
Chen X, Wang W, Liu Y, et al. (2013) Analysis of factors related to changes in liver enzyme spectrum caused by valproic acid. China Medical Guide 10: 73-75.
Dong L, Jiang Y, Zou S, et al. (2023) The effect of low plasma albumin on the blood concentration of sodium valproate. China Drug Application and Monitoring 20: 159-162.
Chinese Medical Association Psychiatric Branch Precision Medicine Research Collaboration Group, China Neuroscience Society Basic and Clinical Psychiatry Branch Precision Diagnosis and Treatment Exchange Center Scientific Committee (2025) Expert consensus on genomic testing of psychiatric drugs. Chinese Journal of Psychiatry 58: 434-445.
Xu ZY, Guo HL, Li L, et al. (2021) Genetic and non-genetic factors contributing to the significant variation in the plasma trough concentration-to-dose ratio of valproic acid in children with epilepsy. Front Pediatr 8: 599044.
Sha B (2021) Analysis of factors influencing the plasma concentration of sodium valproate based on therapeutic drug monitoring. Drug Evaluation 18: 1190-1192.
Pan W, Zuo C, Pan K, et al. (2018) A retrospective study on factors affecting the achievement of target blood concentration of sodium valproate in hospitalized patients. China Hospital Pharmacy Journal 38: 2213-2217.
Chen Y (2020) Monitoring results and influencing factors of serum drug concentration of sodium valproate in the treatment of childhood epilepsy. China Prescription Drug 18: 55-56.
Li L, Xie J, Zhang L, et al. (2016) The effect of levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine on the plasma concentrations of sodium valproate and its metabolite 2-propyl-2-pentenecarboxylic acid in children with epilepsy. China Hospital Pharmacy Journal 36: 41-45.
Wilimowska J, Kłys M, Jawień W (2014) Analysis of variability of concentrations of Valproic Acid (VPA) and its selected metabolites in the blood serum of patients treated with VPA and patients hospitalized because of VPA poisoning. Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol 64: 212-229.
Amini-Shirazi N, Ahmadkhaniha R, Shadnia S, et al. (2010) Determination of VPA and its two important metabolites in Iranian overdosed patients. Int J Pharmacol 6: 854-862.
Chen H, Xie H, Chen C, et al. (2020) Analysis of factors affecting the blood concentration of sodium valproate sustained-release tablets based on therapeutic drug monitoring. China Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 36: 1216-1219.
Shnayder NA, Grechkina VV, Khasanova AK, et al. (2023) Therapeutic and toxic effects of valproic acid metabolites. Metabolites 13: 134.
Zhang LF, Liu LS, Chu XM, et al. (2014) Combined effects of a high-fat diet and chronic valproic acid treatment on hepatic steatosis and hepatotoxicity in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 35: 363-372.
Nagai G, Ono S, Yasui-Furukori N, et al. (2009) Formulations of valproate alter valproate metabolism: A single oral dose kinetic study. Ther Drug Monit 31: 592-596.