The Ameliorative Effect of L-Carnitine on Experimentally Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Male Albino Rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the possible protective effect of L-carnitine if any against experimentally -induced liver cirrhosis in mature male rats using CCl4. Fourty mature male rats were divided randomly into 4 equal groups each of ten. The first group (normal control group) was injected with olive oil (1.5 ml/kg b.wt.). The second group (CCl4 cirrhotic group) were rendered cirrhotic by injecting CCl4 (diluted 1: 7 in olive oil 1.5 ml /kg .b.wt.). While the third group were given L-carnitine (100 mg/kg.b.wt.) plus CCl4. Whereas, the last group were given silymarin in a dose of 25 mg/kg b.wt. together with CCl4 and used as standard. All treatments were given 3 times a week for 7 successive weeks. After the end of the study, all rats in all groups were sacrificed and their blood were collected in centrifuge tubes for preparation of serum which was kept at -20 C until used for estimating various parameters. Liver function parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, total proteins, Albumin, globulins, total bilirubin, direct and indirect bilirubin). Kidney function parameters as serum creatinine, uric acid and urea. Lipogram (Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c). The obtained results revealed that cirrhotic nontreated rats showed a significant increase in serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP and total bilirubin as well as a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin and globulins. On kidney function parameters CCl4 afforded a significant increase in serum levels of creatinine, uric acid and urea. On lipogram, CCl4 elicited a significant elevation in serum triglycerides. LDL-c and a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol and HDL-c. When compared with normal control group. L-carnitine when given to cirrhotic rats induced a non-significant decrease in serum AST, ALT , ALP and a significant increase in serum total proteins and globulins together with a slight decrease in serum total and direct bilirubin. On kidney function parameters L-carnitine induced a significant decrease in serum creatinine uric acid and urea compared with CCl4 treated group and non-significant change, when compared with normal control group whereas, on serum lipogram L-carnitine afforded a significant decrease in HDL-c and LDL-c when compared with control and CCl4 treated group respectively as well as a significant increase in serum triglycerides compared with CCl4 treated group. On the other hand, the Co. administration of silymarin with CCl4 elicited a significant decrease in serum AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin as well as a significant increase in T.P, Albumin and globulins compared with CCl4 non treated group. On kidney function parameter, treatment of cirrhotic group with silymarin afforded a significant decrease in serum creatinine, uric acid and urea compared with CCl4 non treated group. Whereas, on lipogram, silymarin induced a significant increase in serum HDL-c compared with CCl4 non-treated group. From all previous results, it was clear that L-carnitine possesses a hepatoprotective activity against experimentally –induced liver cirrhosis by carbon tetrachloride. [Abdel Aziz, A. Diab; Sayed A. Aziz; Ahmed A. Hendawy; and Dalia M. M. Salim. The Ameliorative Effect of L Carnitine on Experimentally Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Male Albino. J Am Sci 2014;10(11s):8-18]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience. org. 2