The effect of valproate on blood metabolite concentrations in spontaneously diabetic, ketoacidotic, BB/E Wistar rats.

Valproate is an effective anticonvulsant which is rarely associated with hepatotoxicity. It has profound effects on the intermediary metabolism of isolated rat hepatocytes. In this paper the effect of valproate on blood metabolite concentrations in spontaneously diabetic BB/E rats has been studied. Valproate causes a marked fall in blood ketone body concentrations and a smaller fall in blood glucose concentrations following either oral or intraperitoneal administration. Valproate may have a role in the treatment of patients with "brittle" diabetes.