Abstract

To investigate the transport mechanism of valproic acid across the human placenta, we used human placental brush-border membrane vesicles and compared them with that of lactic acid. Transport of [3H]valproic acid and [14C]lactic acid was measured by using human placental brush-border membrane vesicles. The uptakes of [3H]valproic acid and [14C]lactic acid into brush-border membrane vesicles were greatly stimulated at acidic extravesicular pH. The uptakes of [3H]valproic acid and [14C]lactic acid were inhibited by various fatty acids, p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate, and FCCP. A kinetic analysis showed that it was saturable, with Michaelis constants (Kt) of 1.04 +/- 0.41 mM and 1.71 +/- 0.33 mM for [3H]valproic acid and [14C]lactic acid, respectively. Furthermore, lactic acid competitively inhibited [3H]valproic acid uptake and vice versa. These results suggest that the transport of valproic acid across the microvillous membrane of human placenta is mediated by a proton-linked transport system that also transports lactic acid. However, some inhibitors differentially inhibited the uptakes of [3H]valproic acid and [14C]lactic acid, suggesting that other transport systems may also contribute to the elevated fetal blood concentration of valproic acid in gravida.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.