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Zhu QM, Singh AK, Chang HER, Konka SA. Hyperammonemic encephalopathy induced by valproic acid. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e257144. [PMID: 38350699 PMCID: PMC10868277 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-257144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Valproate (VPA) is broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug. Several adverse reactions including hepatotoxicity, fetal risk and pancreatitis are well known and labelled as boxed warnings in the USA. One adverse reaction that is less well known but clinically significant for its severe morbidity is hyperammonemic encephalopathy. We present a case of woman with hyperammonemic encephalopathy following the initiation of VPA therapy; she had a favourable outcome with discontinuation of the drug and prompt treatment with lactulose and L-carnitine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu M Zhu
- Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Amitosh K Singh
- Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Huai-En Rachel Chang
- Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandeep A Konka
- Hospital Medicine, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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Vasiljevski ER, Burns J, Bray P, Donlevy G, Mudge AJ, Jones KJ, Summers MA, Biggin A, Munns CF, McKay MJ, Baldwin JN, Little DG, Schindeler A. L-carnitine supplementation for muscle weakness and fatigue in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: A Phase 2a clinical trial. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:2976-2985. [PMID: 34155781 PMCID: PMC9290089 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reduced muscle tone, muscle weakness, and physical fatigue can impact considerably on quality of life for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Human muscle biopsies and mouse models of NF1 deficiency in muscle show intramyocellular lipid accumulation, and preclinical data have indicated that L-carnitine supplementation can ameliorate this phenotype. The aim of this study is to examine whether daily L-carnitine supplementation is safe and feasible, and will improve muscle strength and reduce fatigue in children with NF1. A 12-week Phase 2a trial was conducted using 1000 mg daily oral levocarnitine tartrate supplementation. Recruited children were between 8 and 12 years old with a clinical diagnosis of NF1, history of muscle weakness and fatigue, and naïve to L-carnitine. Primary outcomes were safety (self-reporting, biochemical testing) and compliance. Secondary outcomes included plasma acylcarnitine profiles, functional measures (muscle strength, long jump, handwriting speed, 6-minute-walk test [6MWT]), and parent-reported questionnaires (PedsQL™, CBCL/6-18). Six children completed the trial with no self-reported adverse events. Biochemical tests for kidney and liver function were normal, and the average compliance was 95%. Plasma acylcarnitine levels were low, but within a range not clinically linked to carnitine deficiency. For strength measures, there was a mean 53% increase in dorsiflexion strength (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.89-60.75; p = 0.02) and mean 66% increase in plantarflexion strength (95% CI 12.99-134.1; p = 0.03). In terms of muscle performance, there was a mean 10% increase in long jump distance (95% CI 2.97-16.03; p = 0.01) and 6MWT distance (95% CI 5.88-75.45; p = 0.03). Comparison with the 1000 Norms Project data showed a significant improvement in Z-score for all of these measures. Parent reports showed no negative impact on quality of life, and the perceived benefits led to the majority of individuals remaining on L-carnitine after the study. Twelve weeks of L-carnitine supplementation is safe and feasible in children with NF1, and a Phase 3 trial should confirm the efficacy of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Vasiljevski
- Orthopaedic Research & Biotechnology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joshua Burns
- University of Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Paediatric Gait Analysis Service of NSW, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (Randwick and Westmead), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paula Bray
- University of Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Neuroscience Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Donlevy
- University of Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Neuroscience Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anita J Mudge
- Paediatric Gait Analysis Service of NSW, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (Randwick and Westmead), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristi J Jones
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Kids Neuroscience Centre, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew A Summers
- Healthy Ageing Theme, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Biggin
- Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Sydney, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Craig F Munns
- Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Sydney, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marnee J McKay
- University of Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer N Baldwin
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David G Little
- Orthopaedic Research & Biotechnology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aaron Schindeler
- Orthopaedic Research & Biotechnology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Evaluating modified diets and dietary supplement therapies for reducing muscle lipid accumulation and improving muscle function in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237097. [PMID: 32810864 PMCID: PMC7446925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that affects a range of tissue systems, however the associated muscle weakness and fatigability can have a profound impact on quality of life. Prior studies using the limb-specific Nf1 knockout mouse (Nf1Prx1-/-) revealed an accumulation of intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) that could be rescued by a diet supplemented with L-carnitine and enriched for medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). In this study we used the Nf1Prx1-/- mouse to model a range of dietary interventions designed to reduce IMCL accumulation, and analyze using other modalities including in situ muscle physiology and lipid mass spectrometry. Histological IMCL accumulation was significantly reduced by a range of treatments including L-carnitine and high MCFAs alone. A low-fat diet did not affect IMCL, but did provide improvements to muscle strength. Supplementation yielded rapid improvements in IMCL within 4 weeks, but were lost once treatment was discontinued. In situ muscle measurements were highly variable in Nf1Prx1-/- mice, attributable to the severe phenotype present in this model, with fusion of the hips and an overall small hind limb muscle size. Lipidome analysis enabled segregation of the normal and modified chow diets, and fatty acid data suggested increased muscle lipolysis with the intervention. Acylcarnitines were also affected, suggestive of a mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorder. These data support the theory that NF1 is a lipid storage disease that can be treated by dietary intervention, and encourages future human trials.
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Baumgartner J, Hoeflich A, Hinterbuchinger B, Fellinger M, Graf I, Friedrich F, Frey R, Mossaheb N. Fulminant Onset of Valproate-Associated Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy. Am J Psychiatry 2019; 176:900-903. [PMID: 31672038 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.18040363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josef Baumgartner
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Anna Hoeflich
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Barbara Hinterbuchinger
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Matthaeus Fellinger
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Irene Graf
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Fabian Friedrich
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Richard Frey
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
| | - Nilufar Mossaheb
- The Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry (Baumgartner, Hoeflich, Hinterbuchinger, Fellinger, Friedrich, Mossaheb), and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinical Division of General Psychiatry (Graf, Frey), Medical University of Vienna
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L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine Roles and Neuroprotection in Developing Brain. Neurochem Res 2017; 42:1661-1675. [PMID: 28508995 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-017-2288-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
L-Carnitine functions to transport long chain fatty acyl-CoAs into the mitochondria for degradation by β-oxidation. Treatment with L-carnitine can ameliorate metabolic imbalances in many inborn errors of metabolism. In recent years there has been considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of L-carnitine and its acetylated derivative acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) for neuroprotection in a number of disorders including hypoxia-ischemia, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease and in conditions leading to central or peripheral nervous system injury. There is compelling evidence from preclinical studies that L-carnitine and ALCAR can improve energy status, decrease oxidative stress and prevent subsequent cell death in models of adult, neonatal and pediatric brain injury. ALCAR can provide an acetyl moiety that can be oxidized for energy, used as a precursor for acetylcholine, or incorporated into glutamate, glutamine and GABA, or into lipids for myelination and cell growth. Administration of ALCAR after brain injury in rat pups improved long-term functional outcomes, including memory. Additional studies are needed to better explore the potential of L-carnitine and ALCAR for protection of developing brain as there is an urgent need for therapies that can improve outcome after neonatal and pediatric brain injury.
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