Abstract:We examined the influence of chronic hepatic failure on the disposition kinetics of valproate (VPA) excretion via a phase II reaction in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (1.0 mg/kg, s.c., 3 times a week) for 2 or 3 months. There was no significant difference in the plasma concentration-time courses of VPA among control and two treated groups up to 120 min after i.v. administration of VPA (75 mg/kg), but subsequently the plasma concentrations of the treated groups declined significantly below the control levels. Expression of Mrp2 mRNA in the liver of the treated groups was significantly lower than in the control group; conversely that in the kidney was significantly higher. The enzyme activity of UGTs in the liver of the treated groups decreased significantly, but UGT1A8 mRNA expression in the duodenum was increased about 3-fold. Cumulative excretion of VPA glucuronide (VPA-G) in bile of the treated groups was significantly reduced, while that in urine was markedly increased. In conclusion, the area under the VPA plasma concentrationtime curve is significantly decreased in rats with chronic hepatic failure owing to increased excretion of VPA-G via the kidney as a result of induction of Mrp2, and inhibition of enterohepatic circulation of VPA-G.