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ARTICLES:
Steven L. Werlin and Daryl L. Fish
The Spectrum of Valproic Acid–Associated Pancreatitis
Pediatrics 2006; 118: 1660-1663 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetters] Vaproate is an epigenetic modulator
Heikki Savolainen   (5 October 2006)

Vaproate is an epigenetic modulator 5 October 2006
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Heikki Savolainen,
Prof.
Dept. of Occup. Safety & Hlth., POB 536 , FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland

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Re: Vaproate is an epigenetic modulator

heikki.savolainen{at}stm.fi Heikki Savolainen

Pancreatitis is a serious complication of valproate. Its toxicity also includes hyperammonemia and it seems to be teratogenic. While no single toxic mechanism may explain all effects it could be interesting to remember that valproate is an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (1). This may have profound effects on many regulatory processes in cells including protein synthesis (2). Thus, many effects of valproate might still remain uncovered and clinical reports of its side effects are very important in this respect.

1. Kopelovich L, Crowell JA, Fay JR. The epigenome as a target for cancer chemoprevention. JNCI 2003; 95: 1747-57

2. Fath DM, Kong X, Liang D et al. Histone deacetylase inhibitors repress the transactivation potential of hypoxia-inducible factors independently of direct acetylation of HIF-alpha. J Biol Chem 2006; 281: 13612-19

Conflict of Interest:

None declared