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Alterations of Urinary Acetylcarnitine in Valproate-Treated Rats: The Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Tateo Sugimoto, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Naoki Nishida, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Man Woo, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Atsushi Araki, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Yohnosuke Kobayashi, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Fumizonocho 1, Moriguchi, Osaka 570, Japan

Urinary excretion of acetylcarnitine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in two experimental groups of valproate-treated rats. In the urine of mature rats weighing 180 to 200 g treated with valproate (500 mg/kg/day), acetylcarnitine levels were higher than those in controls on days 4 and 7, while L-carnitine-supplemented rats showed lower levels than the valproate group. The valproate-treated rats showed an increased acetylcarnitine/acylcarnitine ratio on and after day 4, while the L-carnitine-supplemented rats showed no significant change compared to the controls on any days. In the urine of immature rats weighing 80 to 90 g treated with valproate (50 mg/kg/day), acetylcarnitine levels were increased after the 14th day of treatment.

These results suggest that an increase in urinary acetylcarnitine occurs when small doses of valproate are administered for a longer time. We speculate that increased acetylcarnitine is not a product of β-oxidation in mitochondria, because L-carnitine supplementation decreases the acetylcarnitine levels. Although the mechanism of acetylcarnitine excretion during valproate administration is not clear, L-carnitine supplementation is effective in decreasing the level of urinary acetylcarnitine and keeping the acetylcarnitine/acylcarnitine ratio normal. (J Child Neurol 1992;7:404-407).

Journal of Child Neurology, Vol. 7, No. 4, 404-407 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/088307389200700414


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