Adiponectin receptor R1 is upregulated by valproic acid but not by topiramate in human hepatoma cell line, HepG2

Valproic acid (VPA) is an effective and widely used anticonvulsant, associated with metabolic adverse effects such as weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia and hypoadiponectinemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of VPA and topiramate (TPM) on adiponectin binding receptors, adipoR1 and adipoR2, in human liver cancer cells, HepG2. AdipoR1 but not adipoR2 gene expression was upregulated by VPA treatment. TPM did neither affect adipoR1 nor adipoR2 gene expression. Given the tight association between VPA treatment, metabolic side effects and the adipocytokine-axis, upregulation of adipoR1 possibly represents a favoured and insulin-sensitizing mechanism.