Gender-related differences in urinary excretion of magnesium in adolescents receiving valporate

Background: Valproates (VPA) are known to increase diuresis and urinary excretion of sodium and chloride in both genders of rats. Magnesiuretic effect of VPA was investigated in rats. Several tests have shown gender-related differences in ion transport across cell membrane and their urinary excretion. Aim of the study: To find peculiarities of urinary magnesium (Mg(2+)) excretion in epileptic adolescents receiving VPA and to elucidate gender-related differences. Materials and methods: We monitored 24-h urinary levels of Mg(2+) and creatinine as well pH in 47 epileptic adolescents receiving VPA and 95 controls. Results: Diurnal, nocturnal and 24-h urinary Mg(2+) excretion in VPA-treated epileptic girls was significantly higher than in controls. Nocturnal diuresis in VPA-treated epileptic girls was significantly higher than in controls. Such differences were not found in epileptic boys receiving VPA. Conclusion: VPA may precipitate disturbance of Mg(2+) homeostasis. VPA-induced disturbance of Mg(2+) homeostasis may be gender-related.