The effect of the drug L-carnitine when administered intramuscularly on the blood parameters of rats

Abstract

L-carnitine is a vitamin-like substance that plays an important role in the transport of fatty acids and their further use as an energy source. Most studies have identified beneficial effects of using L-carnitine for preventive and therapeutic purposes. The series of publications reviewed is devoted to the study of the results of the use of L-carnitine in metabolic disorders, diseases of various organs, organ systems, the central nervous system, as well as to elucidate the possible reasons for the decrease in the level of L-carnitine in the body. To date, L-carnitine is used in the Russian Federation only in the form of a feed additive; the purpose of our study was to study L-carnitine in the form of an injection solution. Toxicity studies were conducted on outbred rats in October 2021 in the vivarium of the St. Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine. The study involved females weighing 190-210 grams. When studying subchronic toxicity when administered intra-muscularly, L-carnitine was administered at 2 dose levels. 1/5 and 1/10 of the maximum tolerated dose in acute toxicity studies. In this regard, three groups of animals were formed. The first experimental group (n=10) was administered the drug intramuscularly at a dose of 0.08 mg/kg, the second group (n=10) at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg. The control group (n=10) was intramuscularly injected with a 0.09% sodium chloride solution at a dose of 0.08 mg/kg. The study was carried out over 42 days. Biological material samples were taken from 5 animals from each group the next day after the end of the drug administration (day 43), and 10 days after the last drug administration (day 53). The results of the study showed that dosages of 1/5 and 1/10 of the maximum tolerated do not cause external signs of toxicosis and death in rats. No significant changes were found in the biochemical parameters of the blood of animals in the experimental and control groups.