The effects of L-carnitine on acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine against to liver damage caused by lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminophen. Materials and Methods: Wister-albino male rats were divided into three groups randomly: control, toxic hepatitis, and L-carnitine groups. To introduce a toxic hepatitis, single dose of acetaminophen (300 mg/kg) dissolved in warm saline was given intraperitoneally to toxic hepatitis and L-carnitine groups. A single dose of L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally to L-carnitine group five minutes after introducing to toxic hepatitits. A single dose of warm saline was given intraperitoneally to control group. Results: In toxic hepatitis group, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and plasma and liver malondialdehyde levels were higher whereas plasma Gc-globulin, whole blood and liver glutathione levels, erythrocyte and liver catalase activities and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity were lower as compared to control group. In L-carnitine group, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and plasma and liver malondialdehyde levels were lower whereas whole blood and liver glutathione levels, erythrocyte and liver catalase activities and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity were higher as compared to toxic hepatitis group. There was no significant change between plasma Gc-Globulin levels of these groups. Histopathological changes in toxic hepatitis group were more prominent than those found in L-carnitine group. Conclusion: L-Carnitine has a protective effect against to liver damage caused by lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in toxic hepatitis induced by acetaminopfen in rats.