Effects of L-carnitine treatment on oxidant/antioxidant state and vascular reactivity of streptozotocin-diabetic rat aorta.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of L-carnitine treatment on lipids, lipid peroxidation of plasma, reactivity and antioxidant enzyme activity of aorta were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Treatment with L-carnitine (0.6 g kg(-1) daily, i.p.) was started 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes and continued for 2 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (45 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and blood glucose levels were significantly increased, although free carnitine levels were markedly decreased in diabetic rats. L-Carnitine treatment completely normalized plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, free carnitine and TBARS levels but partially restored blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. STZ-diabetes caused a significant reduction in the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh). In diabetic aorta, TBARS levels and catalase (CAT) activity were significantly increased but glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was unchanged. Treatment of diabetic rats with L-carnitine resulted in partial restoration of the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to ACh and completely normalized the oxidant/antioxidant state. These results suggested that the beneficial effects of L-carnitine treatment partially improve vascular reactivity and antioxidant property beyond its reduction of plasma lipids and it may have an important therapeutic approach in the treatment of diabetic vascular complications.

• Authors: Ali Murat Irat, Fügen Aktan, Gülgün Ozansoy
• Journal: The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (J Pharm Pharmacol) Vol. 55 Issue 10 Pg. 1389-95 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0022-3573 [Print] England
• PMID: 14607021 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Blood Glucose
• Oxidants
• Streptozocin
• Catalase
• Acetylcholine
• Carnitine

Topics

• Acetylcholine (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Aorta (drug effects, physiology)
• Blood Glucose
• Carnitine (pharmacology)
• Catalase (pharmacology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental (physiopathology)
• Lipid Metabolism
• Lipid Peroxidation
• Male
• Oxidants (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Streptozocin
• Vascular Resistance (drug effects, physiology)
• Vasodilation (drug effects, physiology)