Valproic acid and its derivatives enhanced estrogenic activity but not androgenic activity in a structure dependent manner.

Steroid hormones affect metabolic pathways and cellular functions. Valproic acid (VPA), used as antiepileptic drug, inhibits histone deacetylases and interacts with intracellular receptors. We analyzed the impact of VPA and VPA derivatives on activation of estrogen and androgen receptors (ER and AR) using reporter gene assays.