Abstract
Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were used to study the cytotoxicity of sodium valproate (VPA). Cytotoxicity was monitored by measurement of leakage of intracellular enzymes into the culture medium: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT). The effects of D,L-carnitine and albumin administration on the cytotoxicity were evaluated.
LDH leakage rose with an increasing dose of VPA. Administrations of D,L-carnitine and albumin reduced VPA hepatotoxicity. Our data suggest that VPA-induced hepatotoxicity is dose-related and may be modulated by serum carnitine and albumin levels.
Key words
Hepatotoxicity - LDH - Valproate - Carnitine - Albumin - Rat