Valproic acid is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein or multidrug resistance proteins 1 and 2 in a number of in vitro and in vivo transport assays.

The antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) is widely used in the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorders, and migraine. However, rather high doses are required for the clinical effects of VPA, which is due to its relatively inefficient delivery to the brain. The poor brain distribution of VPA is thought to reflect an asymmetric transport system at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Based on recent data from in vitro experiments, multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs) have been proposed to be involved in the efflux transport of VPA at the BBB. In the present study, we used different experimental in vitro and in vivo strategies to evaluate whether VPA is a substrate for MRPs or the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp). In contrast to known Pgp or MRP substrates, such as cyclosporin A or vinblastine, no directional transport of VPA was observed in cell monolayer efflux assays using the kidney cell lines Madin Darby canine kidney II and LLC-PK1, which had been transfected with either human or mouse cDNAs for the genes encoding Pgp, MRP1, or MRP2. Likewise, no indication for efflux transport of VPA was obtained in a rat microdialysis model, using inhibitors of either Pgp or MRPs. Furthermore, a significant role of MRP2 in brain efflux of VPA was excluded by using MRP2-deficient rats. Our data do not support the hypothesis that MRP1 or MRP2 is involved in the efflux of VPA from the brain. Thus, the molecular identity of the putative transporter(s) mediating the active efflux of VPA from the brain remains to be elucidated.