Relationship of valproic acid, hepatosteatosis and serum betatrophin

Abstract

Abstract Purpose:With weight gain and/or obesity, adipocytokine levels in the blood change and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) develops. In this study, we aimed to evaluate how serum betatrophin and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) are affected in children receiving valproic acid (VPA) monotherapy and whether shear wave elastography (SWE) accurately detects NAFLD in these patients. Methods:Children aged 8-18 years with a diagnosis of epilepsy who received VPA monotherapy for at least 6 months (A group) and overweight and/or obese children (B group) in the similar age range were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), epilepsy type, VPA dose-blood level and duration of use, HOMA-IR, serum lipid and betatrophin levels and liver SWE measurements were made. Results:In our study, there were 36 cases in group A and 40 cases in group B. In the A group, 60% of the patients were diagnosed with generalized epilepsy and the mean VPA exposure time was 4 years. Body weight, BMI, insulin, ALT, HOMA-IR and lipids were found to be statistically significantly higher in group B.Interestingly, serum betatrophin was found to be high in group A. Hepatomegaly and hepatosteatosis were more common in group B, but SWE measurements were not different between the two groups. Conclusion:VPA is still a reliable antiseizure drug in children in relatively low doses and long-term use. Serum betatrophin can be used together with SWE in the follow-up of weight gain and for early detection in those with the potential to develop NAFLD.