Dynamics of hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid in epileptic patients treated with valproic acid

BackgroundThe effects of valproic acid (VPA) on oxidative stress are controversial due to differences in experimental conditions. Recently, total hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (tHODE), derived from linoleic acid, was proposed as a potent biomarker to evaluate oxidative stress. MethodsThe subjects consisted of 10 new-onset epilepsy patients treated with VPA. We measured plasma tHODE consecutively for 1 year to evaluate the degree of oxidative stress and then compared plasma tHODE at the beginning and the end of experiments with the peak level. Ten age-matched healthy subjects were recruited as a control group and their plasma tHODE was compared to the initial plasma tHODE of the epilepsy group. Measurements were done using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. ResultsMean initial plasma tHODE in the epilepsy group was 165.2 76.8nmol/L, which was not significantly different from that of the control group (199.3 +/- 62.5nmol/L). In five epilepsy patients, plasma tHODE increased above the pathological level in 6months, but returned to normal within 1year. In the whole group, the difference plasma tHODE between peak, at the beginning and 1 year later, was significant. ConclusionOxidative stress generated by VPA increased temporarily, but decreased to normal after 1year. it is reasonable to be concerned about the effects of oxidative stress, especially at the start of VPA treatment.