Valproic acid has been shown to induce a deficiency in which nutrient?

Valproic acid has been shown to induce a deficiency in which nutrient?

• A. Carnitine
• B. Copper
• C. Fatty acids
• D. Essential amino acids

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that valproic acid can cause a secondary carnitine deficiency. Valproate is metabolized in a way that uses and loses carnitine: it forms valproylcarnitine and increases urinary excretion of carnitine, which lowers the free carnitine pool in the body. Carnitine's job is to shuttle long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. When carnitine is depleted, fatty acid transport into mitochondria is impaired, reducing beta-oxidation and energy production—especially in the liver and muscles. This connection explains why carnitine status can become a concern in patients taking valproate, and why supplementation might be considered if deficiency occurs. Copper status, fatty acids, and essential amino acids aren’t the nutrients most directly affected by valproic acid in the same way. The ключ is the depletion of carnitine leading to impaired fatty acid oxidation rather than a direct deficiency of those other nutrients.

The main idea is that valproic acid can cause a secondary carnitine deficiency. Valproate is metabolized in a way that uses and loses carnitine: it forms valproylcarnitine and increases urinary excretion of carnitine, which lowers the free carnitine pool in the body. Carnitine's job is to shuttle long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation. When carnitine is depleted, fatty acid transport into mitochondria is impaired, reducing beta-oxidation and energy production—especially in the liver and muscles. This connection explains why carnitine status can become a concern in patients taking valproate, and why supplementation might be considered if deficiency occurs.

Copper status, fatty acids, and essential amino acids aren’t the nutrients most directly affected by valproic acid in the same way. The ключ is the depletion of carnitine leading to impaired fatty acid oxidation rather than a direct deficiency of those other nutrients.