Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effects of L-carnitine and magnesium on the levels of tissue malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6) in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Eighty male Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into 8 groups with 10 rats in each group. The groups received the following treatments: Control group; 2 ml distilled water (by gavage); Group 2: 50 mg/kg (b.w.) i.p. streptozotocin; Group 3: 125 mg/kg (b.w.) magnesium; Group 4: 300 mg/kg (b.w.) L-carnitine; Group 5: 125 mg/kg (b.w.) magnesium +300 mg/kg (b.w.) L-carnitine; Group 6: 50 mg/kg (b.w.) streptozotocin +125 mg/kg (b.w.) magnesium; Group 7: 50 mg/kg (b.w.) streptozotocin +300 mg/kg (b.w.) L-carnitine and Group 8: 50 mg/kg (b.w.) streptozotocin +125 mg/ kg (b.w.) magnesium+300 mg/kg (b.w.) L-carnitine administered for 4 weeks. Liver and kidney malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 levels did not change in the magnesium, L-carnitine, and magnesium + L-carnitine groups compared to the control. The highest levels of malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 were determined only in the group with diabetes (Group 2). Lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and cytokine levels were significantly reduced in diabetic animals with the administration of magnesium and L-carnitine separately or in combination. Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that magnesium and L-carnitine may have antidiabetic effects, especially in combination.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by insufficiency of insulin secretion and resistance to the metabolic effects of insulin in the target tissues
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of L-carnitine and magnesium (Mg) on the levels of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-OHdG, and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced experimental diabetes in rats
Tissue 8-OHdG Levels No difference was found between the control group and Mg, L-carnitine, and Mg + L-carnitine groups (Group 3-5) in terms of 8-OHdG levels
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by insufficiency of insulin secretion and resistance to the metabolic effects of insulin in the target tissues. Diabetes mellitus leads to disorders of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism [1,3]. Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathophysiology and later complications of diabetes [4,5]. Localized tissue damage caused by changes in the antioxidant defense system and metabolic stress caused by changes in the energy metabolism, are the mechanisms that increase oxidative stress in diabetes [6,7]. Magnesium (Mg), which is involved in lipid, protein, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid metabolisms, is an important cofactor of more than 300 enzymatic reactions and takes part in the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) [8]. It is stated that the functions of magnesium and carnitine in mitochondria and their roles in the regulation of membrane permeability are well known [10,11]
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