Evaluation of the Lethal and Toxical Doses of Valproic Acid on the Liver and Kidney of Pregnant Mice

The main treatment for nervous system disorders requires patients to take sodium valproate as their primary medication for symptom management. The drug achieves its effectiveness through its ability to stop enzymes from working while it raises brain levels of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). However, using sodium valproate for prolonged periods can lead to side effects. The researchers investigated sodium valproate effects on pregnant mice while assessing folic acid as a protective substance.

The study involved thirty pregnant mice who received various treatments throughout six experimental groups. The first group functioned as the control group because they did not receive any treatment. The second group received 250 mg/kg of sodium valproate but the third group received 500 mg/kg of sodium valproate. The fourth group received 5 mg/kg of folic acid as their treatment.

The fifth group received 500 mg/kg of sodium valproate together with 5 mg/kg of folic acid during the 18-day treatment period. The sixth group received 250 mg/kg of sodium valproate together with 5 mg/kg of folic acid throughout the entire 18-day study duration. The biochemical results from Valproate-treated groups showed major changes which included decreased GSH and SOD levels and elevated LPO and triglycerides and cholesterol and TNF-α levels. The histopathological examination revealed three main changes which consisted of hepatocyte death and inflammatory cell entry and glomerular tissue shrinkage. The combination of folic acid with other substances reduced oxidative and inflammatory damage but only when using 250 mg/kg of the substance. The study shows that sodium valproate causes major liver and kidney destruction in pregnant mice but folic acid proves to be a protective substance when valproate consumption remains low.