L-carnitine Group Research Articles

Protective Effects of L-Carnitine Against Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Delayed graft function (DGF) is an early complication after deceased donor kidney transplantation with significant adverse effects on graft outcomes. Ischemia-reperfusion injury during transplantation is a major cause of DGF. Tissue concentrations of carnitine, an antioxidant and regulator of cellular energy supply, decrease in the kidney following ischemia-reperfusion insult. Based on promising animal data, this study evaluated the possible protective effect of L-carnitine against DGF. This study is a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that was conducted on kidney transplantation patients in kidney transplant ward of Imam Khomeini hospital complex affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Patients older than 14years old undergoing their first kidney transplantation from a deceased donor were evaluated for eligibility to take part in this study. Fifty-six patients were randomly assigned to L-carnitine or placebo groups. During this trial, 3g of oral L-carnitine or placebo was administered in 3 divided doses each day for 4 consecutive days starting the day before kidney transplantation (i.e., days -1, 0, 1, and 2). The need for dialysis within the first week after transplantation, serum creatinine and urine output were assessed daily. After hospital discharge, patients were followed for 3months regarding organ function. DGF incidence did not differ between the L-carnitine and placebo groups (18.51% vs. 23.8%, respectively; P=.68). Total allograft failure within 3months after kidney transplantation happened in 6 patients in the placebo and 1 patient in the L-carnitine group (P=.05). This study showed no protective effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation against DGF occurrence recipients; however, 3-month graft loss was lower in the L-carnitine supplemented group.

EFFECT OF ACUTE L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON BLOOD LACTATE, GLUCOSE, AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE IN ELITE MALE ARTISTIC GYMNASTS

Background. Probably L-Carnitine can induce the increase of Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, decrease of lactic acid production and performance improvements due to the reinforcement of long chain fatty acid oxidation and stabilize of coASH to free COA. Based on this, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of acute L-Carnitine supplementation on blood lactate, glucose, VO 2 max and anaerobic power in elite male artistic gymnasts. Methods. Eighteen male artistic gymnasts were randomly assigned to supplementation (n = 9) or placebo (n = 9) groups. In a double blind design, subjects participated in two tests with a break of one week between them. Subjects ingested 3 grams of L-Carnitine or placebo (maltodextrin) 90 minutes before aerobic and anaerobic exercise protocols. We used a 20 m shuttle run as an aerobic exercise protocol and running based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) as an anaerobic exercise protocol. Blood samples were collected 5 minutes pre and 4 minutes post-tests for the analysis of lactate and glucose. Results. L-Carnitine group had significantly lower lactate concentration than placebo group after tests (p < .05). L-Carnitine group had significantly higher blood glucose (p < .05) compared with placebo group, too. Also VO 2 max as well as mean and maximum power in L-Carnitine group were significantly higher than those in placebo group (p < .05). Conclusions. These findings indicated that acute oral supplementation of L-Carnitine can probably induce fatigue decrease and improvement of aerobic and anaerobic performance in elite male artistic gymnasts.

Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine against statin-induced pancreatic mitochondrial toxicity in rats.

Statins are widely used in patients with hyperlipidemia and whom with high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, statins also exert some adverse effects on the liver and pancreas and enhance the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of the present research was to investigate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) and L-carnitine (LC) on statins induced toxicity on pancreatic mitochondria in vivo. Seven groups of male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (20 mg/kg, p.o.), atorvastatin + Co-Q10 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), atorvastatin + LC (500 mg/kg, i.p.), lovastatin (80 mg/kg, p.o), lovastatin + Co-Q10 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and lovastatin + LC (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured before and after two weeks of treatment, while the pancreas was removed and toxic effects of statins, as well as the protective effects of Co-Q10 and LC were assessed. The results showed that atorvastatin and lovastatin significantly increased glucose level and decreased insulin secretion. The glucose level in Co-Q10 and LC groups was significantly lower than statins alone groups. The findings also showed that statin groups had higher rate of pancreatic toxicity including higher level of reactive oxygen species production, decreased cytochrome c oxidase activity, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and swelling in comparison to controls. These factors were significantly diminished by co-administration of Co-Q10 or LC compared to statin groups alone. Additionally, supplements caused a significant increase in serum insulin and succinate dehydrogenase activity. Our study provided new evidence supporting beneficial effects of Co-Q10 and LC on statin-induced pancreatic toxicity.

Effects of a therapeutic lifestyle change diet and supplementation with Q10 plus L-carnitine on quality of life in patients with myocardial infarction: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI) has a deleterious effect on quality of life (QoL), which can affect cardiac prognosis after MI. Thus, new strategies have to be identified for improving the QoL. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted on the impact of therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet and L-carnitine plus Q10 supplementation on QoL after MI. Methods: The study aimed to measure 128 MI patients’ QoL using MacNew QoL questionnaire (global scales and physical, emotional, and social subscales) before and 3 months after the intervention. The patients were divided into 4 groups. Group A received TLC diet, group B orally received Q10 150 mg/d and L-carnitine 1200 mg/d, and group C received a combination of carnitine plus Q10 and TLC diet. Finally, group D, as the control group, only underwent the routine care. Results: The results showed a significant increase in MacNew questionnaire’s physical, emotional, and social subscales in the four groups after the intervention. The results of within-group analysis showed that the physical and emotional subscales changed significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.022, respectively). In the emotional subscale, TLC group showed a significant improvement compared to groups B and D (P < 0.019 and P < 0.001, respectively), but not group C (P < 0.681). In the physical subscale, Q10 plus L-carnitine group showed a significant improvement compared to groups A and D (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively), but not group C (P < 0.860). In the global scale, combination of carnitine plus Q10 and TLC diet group demonstrated a considerable improvement compared to groups A, B, and D (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Nevertheless, the results of within-group analysis revealed no significant differences among the four groups regarding the social subscale (P < 0.229). Conclusion: Both TLC diet and supplementation with Q10 and L- carnitine had a positive effect on the physical and emotional subscales of MacNew questionnaire and may improve post-MI prognosis. Based on the results, combination of Q10 plus L-carnitine and TLC die can be a potential intervention for improving QoL and secondary prevention.

Effects of L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba on Pentylentetrazol-induced liver damage and oxidative stress in rats.

Pentylentetrazol (PTZ) kindling is an acknowledged models for epilepsy. The current study aimed to determine the possible protective and ameliorative effects of Lcarnitine and Ginkgo biloba (GB) against PTZ induced liver injury and oxidative stress in male rats. A total of 80 male albino rats were equally divided into eight groups; 1st group was the control; 2nd and 3rd were GB and Lcarnitine groups, respectively; 4th group was pentylenetetrazole rat group and the 5th and 6th groups were pre and post treated PTZ with L-carnitine groups respectively; the 7th and 8th groups were pre and post treated PTZ with GB respectively. Serum ALT, AST, ALP and MDA in liver tissue were significant increase in PTZ group when compare with control, while serum ALB and CAT, SOD, GST and TAC in liver tissue were significant decrease in PTZ group when compare with control. On other hand post and pre-treatment with L-carnitine and GB improved these parameters. Our results revealed that the treatment with L-carnitine improved these parameters more than GB and the results of post treatment were better than pre-treatment.

Efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on frailty status and its biomarkers, nutritional status, and physical and cognitive function among prefrail older adults: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BackgroundFrailty is a biological syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors due to decline in multiple physiological systems. Amino acid deficiency, including L-carnitine, has been proposed to be associated with its pathophysiology. Nevertheless, the efficacy of L-carnitine supplementation on frailty status has not been documented. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effect of 10-week L-carnitine supplement (1.5 g/day) on frailty status and its biomarkers and also physical function, cognition, and nutritional status among prefrail older adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia.MethodologyThis study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted among 50 prefrail subjects randomized into two groups (26 in L-carnitine group and 24 in placebo group). Outcome measures include frailty status using Fried criteria and Frailty Index accumulation of deficit, selected frailty biomarkers (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and insulin-like growth factor-1), physical function, cognitive function, nutritional status and biochemical profile.ResultsThe results indicated that the mean scores of Frailty Index score and hand grip test were significantly improved in subjects supplemented with L-carnitine (P<0.05 for both parameters) as compared to no change in the placebo group. Based on Fried criteria, four subjects (three from the L-carnitine group and one from the control group) transited from prefrail status to robust after the intervention.ConclusionL-carnitine supplementation has a favorable effect on the functional status and fatigue in prefrail older adults.

The cardioprotective effects of L-carnitine on rat cardiac injury, apoptosis, and oxidative stress caused by amethopterin.

Amethopterin is used as a chemotherapeutic agent, and its antioxidant activity is used to treat many cancer types. This study aimed to study the ameliorating effect of L-carnitine against amethopterin-induced cardiac injury and oxidative stress in male rats. Sixty male albino rats were equally divided into six groups; the first and second groups were the control and L-carnitine groups, respectively, while the third group was treated with amethopterin rat group; the fourth and fifth groups were co-treated and post-treated with amethopterin rat with L-carnitine, respectively, and the sixth group was self-treated with amethopterin rat group. Cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glutathione, and total protein levels in amethopterin group showed a significant decrease when compared with control group, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in amethopterin group showed a significant increase when compared with control group. Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, GOT, MDA, and catalase levels in the self-treated group showed a significant increase when compared with amethopterin group, while glutathione, total protein, and NO levels in the self-treated group showed significant decrease when compared with amethopterin group. Many of abnormalities as moderate hydrophobic changes of myofibrillar structure with striations, myocardial atrophy, cytoplasmic vacuoles, edema, and leukocyte infiltration were detected in cardiac tissues in amethopterin rat group. A significant increase of the apoptotic protein p53 and CD68 immunoreactivity, despite a significant decrease in the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins after amethopterin injection when compared with control group, was observed. Treatment (co and post) with L-carnitine improved the biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical alterations in the heart treated with amethopterin.

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles in patients with coronary artery disease

BackgroundL-carnitine (LC) plays an important physiologic role in lipid metabolism. To date, no clinical study has been performed to examine the effect of LC supplementation on the lipid status of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid lowering effects of LC supplementation (1000 mg/d) in CAD patients.MethodsCAD patients were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50 % stenosis of one major coronary artery. Forty-seven subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and to the LC (n = 23) groups. The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The levels of LC, lipid profiles, and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD) were measured.ResultsThe subjects in the LC group had significantly higher SOD activity (20.7 ± 4.2 versus 13.1 ± 2.9 U/mg of protein, P < 0.01), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (1.34 ± 0.42 vs. 1.16 ± 0.24 mmol/L, HDL-C, P = 0.03), and apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1, 1.24 ± 0.18 vs. 1.12 ± 0.13 g/L, P = 0.02) than those in the placebo group at week 12. Triglyceride (TG) level was slightly significantly reduced (1.40 ± 0.74 vs. 1.35 ± 0.62 mmol/L, P = 0.06) and the level of LC was negatively correlated with TG and apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B), and positively correlated with HDL-C and Apo-A1 after LC supplementation. Additionally, SOD activity was significantly negatively correlated with lipid profiles (total cholesterol, TG, and Apo-B) after supplementation.ConclusionLC supplementation at a dose of 1000 mg/d showed significantly increased in HDL-C and Apo-A1 levels and a slight decrease in TG levels but no other changes in other lipids in CAD patients, and this lipid-lowering effect may be related to its antioxidant ability. Further studies should be conducted to define an optimal dose of LC for lipid-lowering in patients with CAD.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01819701

The histopathologic effects of L-carnitine in Sodium Taurocholate Induced Severe Pancreatitis Model.

To evaluate the histopathologic effects of L-carnitine (LC) in an experimental severe pancreatitis (SP) model induced with sodium taurocholate (STC). LC is an amino acid-like molecule that plays an active role in transporting fatty acids and producing Acetyl CoA in mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation to provide energy which is needed for metabolism. It has ameliorative effects on cell injury demonstrated in many studies. The present study focuses on evaluating histopathologic effects of LC in an experimental SP model. This experimental study in rats was conducted at the Experimental Animal Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. Thirty-two Spraque-dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups in a randomized fashion: control (C) group, L-carnitine (LC) group, pancreatitis (P) group, pancreatitis and L-carnitine (P+LC) group. Pancreatitis was induced by a retrograde pancreatic duct injection of 4% sodium taurocholate and L-carnitine was administered 200 mg/kg/day in treatment group. Rats were euthanized with cardiac puncture under anesthesia at 48th hour of the experiment for biochemical and histopathological examination. In (P+LC) group, the histopathological findings of the pancreatitis were markedly reduced. Acinar cell degeneration was rarely seen. Interlobular and intralobular inflammation and edema was generally mild. The pancreatic damage score of (P+LC) group was significantly lower than that of the (P) group (p<0.05). This study revealed that l-carnitine has a significant histopathologic protective effect on acinar cell degeneration in STC-induced SP model in rats.

Comparison of the Effects of Varicocelectomy and Oral L-carnitine on Sperm Parameters in Infertile Men with Varicocele.

Varicocele is defined as dilated and twisted veins of the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord. It is the most common cause of male infertility. There are various medical and surgical procedures for the treatment of this disease. This study was aimed to compare the effects of oral administration of L-Carnitine and varicocelectomy on spermogram parameters. This study was conducted as a double blind clinical trial without randomization. Inclusion criteria were, all married infertile men with varicocele. Patients chose their treatment personally and spermogram was carried out for all patients before and after the third and sixth months of treatment. Then, the sperm parameters of the two groups were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. In our study, trend of sperm count in the surgery group changed from 22 to 28.61 million (vs 34.6 to 45.37 in L-Carnitine group), motility changed from 21.74 to 35.38 percent (vs 33.9 to 47.48 in L-Carnitine group), normal sperm morphology changed from 46.25 to 60 percent (vs 56.61 to 69.7 in L-Carnitine group) and volume of semen changed from 3.5 to 4.17 cc (vs 2.95 to 4.33 in L-Carnitine group). These values were not statistically different between the two groups. Based on the results of this study, we can say that medicinal treatment by administration of oral L-Carnitine is as effective as varicocelectomy in improving semen parameters and can be used as an alternative to surgery for varicocele grade II.

Effects of l-Carnitine Supplementation on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Matrix Metalloproteinase Enzymes in Females with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Objective: Considering the importance of inflammation in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) and induction of pain, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on serum inflammatory mediators and OA-associated pain in females with knee OA.Methods: In this clinical trial, 72 females with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis started the study, divided into 2 groups to receive 750 mg/day L-carnitine (n = 36) or placebo (n = 36) for 8 weeks. Serum levels of Interleukine-1β (IL-1β), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-1 and -13, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were assessed before and after supplementation. Data were analyzed by t test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann-Whitney U test, and analysis of covariance.Results: Only 69 patients (33 in the L-carnitine group and 36 in the placebo group) completed the study. L-Carnitine supplementation decreased serum IL-1β and MMP-1 levels significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.021, respectively); however, serum hs-CRP and MMP-13 levels did not change significantly (p > 0.05). In the placebo group, serum IL-1β levels increased significantly (p = 0.011), whereas other studied biomarkers did not change significantly. The mean VAS score decreased significantly in the L-carnitine and placebo groups by 52.67% and 21.82%, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant differences were only observed between the 2 groups in serum IL-1β (p < 0.001) and MMP-1 (p = 0.006) levels and mean VAS score (p = 0.002) after adjusting for baseline values and covariates.Conclusion: Despite observed beneficial effects of short-term supplementation of L-carnitine in decreasing serum inflammatory mediators and improving pain in knee OA patients, further studies are needed to achieve concise conclusions.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine and l-Carnitine Prevent Meiotic Oocyte Damage Induced by Follicular Fluid From Infertile Women With Mild Endometriosis.

This study evaluated the potential protective effect of the antioxidants, l-carnitine (LC) and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), in preventing meiotic oocyte damage induced by follicular fluid (FF) from infertile women with mild endometriosis (ME). We performed an experimental study. The FF samples were obtained from 22 infertile women undergoing stimulated cycles for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (11 with ME and 11 without endometriosis). Immature bovine oocytes were submitted to in vitro maturation (IVM) divided into 9 groups: no-FF (No-FF); with FF from control (CFF) or ME (EFF) groups; and with LC (C + LC and E + LC), NAC (C + NAC and E + NAC), or both antioxidants (C + 2Ao and E + 2Ao). After IVM, oocytes were immunostained for visualization of microtubules and chromatin by confocal microscopy. The percentage of meiotically normal metaphase II (MII) oocytes was significantly lower in the EFF group (51.35%) compared to No-FF (86.36%) and CFF (83.52%) groups. The E + NAC (62.22%), E + LC (80.61%), and E + 2Ao (61.40%) groups showed higher percentage of normal MII than EFF group. The E + LC group showed higher percentage of normal MII than E + NAC and E + 2Ao groups and a similar percentage to No-FF and CFF groups. Therefore, FF from infertile women with ME causes meiotic abnormalities in bovine oocytes, and, for the first time, we demonstrated that the use of NAC and LC prevents these damages. Our findings elucidate part of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in infertility associated with ME and open perspectives for further studies investigating whether the use of LC could improve the natural fertility and/or the results of in vitro fertilization of women with ME.

L-carnitine supplementation for the management of fatigue in patients with hypothyroidism on levothyroxine treatment: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Hypothyroid patients experience fatigue-related symptoms despite adequate thyroid hormone replacement. Thyroid hormone plays an essential role in carnitine-dependent fatty acid import and oxidation. We investigated the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on fatigue in patients with hypothyroidism. In total, 60 patients (age 50.0 ± 9.2 years, 3 males, 57 females) who still experienced fatigue (fatigue severity scale [FSS] score ≥ 36) were given L-carnitine (n = 30, 990 mg L-carnitine twice daily) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, although neither the FSS score nor the physical fatigue score (PFS) changed significantly, the mental fatigue score (MFS) was significantly decreased by treatment with L-carnitine compared with placebo (from 4.5 ± 1.9 to 3.9 ± 1.5 vs. from 4.2 ± 1.8 to 4.6 ± 1.6, respectively; P < 0.01). In the L-carnitine group, 75.0%, 53.6%, and 50.0% of patients showed improvement in the FSS score, PFS, and MFS, respectively, but only 20.0%, 24.0%, and 24.0%, respectively, did so in the placebo group (all P < 0.05). Both the PFS and MFS were significantly improved in patients younger than 50 years and those with free T3 ≥ 4.0 pg/mL by treatment with L-carnitine compared with placebo. Additionally, the MFS was significantly improved in patients taking thyroid hormone after thyroid cancer surgery. These results suggest that L-carnitine supplementation may be useful in alleviating fatigue symptoms in hypothyroid patients, especially in those younger than 50 years and those who have hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01769157).

Effects of L-carnitine against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in grass carp ovary cells (Ctenopharyngodon idellus).

This study was designed in vitro to investigate the effects of L-carnitine against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in a grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) ovary cell line (GCO). GCO cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of L-carnitine, followed by incubation with 2.5mM H2O2 for 1h to induce oxidative damage. The results indicated that adding L-carnitine at concentrations of 0.01-1mM into the medium for 12h significantly increased cell viability. Pre-treatment with L-carnitine at concentrations of 0.1-5mM for 12h significantly inhibited 2.5mM H2O2-induced cell viability loss. The significant decreases in the level of reactive oxygen species and cell apoptosis were observed in 0.5mM L-carnitine group compared to the H2O2 group. Malondialdehyde values of all of the L-carnitine groups were significantly lower than those of the H2O2 group, while total glutathione levels of all of the L-carnitine groups were significantly higher than of the H2O2 group. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as total superoxide dismutase (0.1 and 0.5mM L-carnitine), catalase (0.5mM L-carnitine) and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (0.5 and 1mM L-carnitine), was significantly increased. In addition, pre-treatment of L-carnitine in GCO cells exposed to 2.5mM H2O2 significantly increased the mRNA expression of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase (0.5mM L-carnitine), glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (0.1-1mM) and glutathione peroxidase (0.1mM L-carnitine). In conclusion, L-carnitine promotes GCO cell growth and improves antioxidant function, it plays a protective role against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 in GCO cells, and the appropriate supplemental amount of L-carnitine is 0.1-1mM.

Effects of L-carnitine and Ginkgo bilobaon cerebral cortex in experimentally-induced epileptic seizures disease in rat

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling is an acknowledged model for epilepsy and refers to a phenomenon in which repeated injection of this drug causes a gradual seizure. The current study aimed to determine the possible protective and ameliorative effects of L-carnitine and Ginkgo Biloba leaf extracts (GLE) against PTZinduced epileptic seizures disease in rats. A total of 80 male albino rats were equally divided into eight groups; 1st group was the control; 2nd and 3rd wereGLE and L-carnitine groups, respectively; while the 4th group was pentylenetetrazolerat group and the 5th and 6th groups were pre GLE and L-carnitine groups respectively; the 7th and 8th groups were post GLE and L-carnitine, respectively. PTZ leads to an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), glutamate (Glu) and to a decrease in catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, glutathione reductase(GSH), gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) in the cerebral cortex of rats when compared to control group. Pre- and post treatment with GLE and L-carnitine were improved the biochemicalalterations in the cerebral cortex that treated with PTZ.

Efficacy of glutathione mesotherapy in burns: an experimental study.

Thermal burns are the leading cause of trauma worldwide. Currently, no consensus on optimal treatment of deep partial-thickness (second-degree) burns has emerged, as reflected by the wide variability in available wound-care materials. The relative efficacies of products used for treatment of partial-thickness thermal burns remain unclear. Mesotherapy features intradermal administration of various agents, depending on burn location. In the present experimental study, we explored the efficacy of mesotherapy used to treat partial-thickness thermal burns in 50 male Wistar rats divided into five groups of equal number. No procedure was performed after infliction of thermal burns in control group (Group 1). Mesotherapy was applied with physiological saline in sham group (Group 2), glutathione, taurine, and L-carnitine were separately applied in Group 3, Group 4, and Group 5, respectively. Mesotherapeutic agents were injected intradermally into the reticular layer of the dermis using the point technique. The first course of mesotherapy was given within the first 2h after infliction of thermal burns, and therapy was continued to day 10. On day 22, unhealed thermal burn areas were measured prior to sacrifice, and biopsies covering the total areas of burns were performed to allow of pathological evaluation. Group 3 (the glutathione group) showed the best extent of healing, followed by Group 4 (the taurine group) and Group 5 (the L-carnitine group). The healed thermal burn areas in these groups were significantly greater than those in the control and sham groups (P=0.001). All of healing, acute and chronic inflammation, the amount of granulation tissue, the level of fibroblast maturation, the amount of collagen, the extent of re-epithelization and neovascularization, and ulcer depth were scored upon pathological examination of tissue cross-sections. The best outcomes were evident in the glutathione group, with statistical significance. Although wound healing in the L-carnitine and taurine groups was better than in the control and sham groups, the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, glutathione mesotherapy was effective when used to treat partial-thickness thermal burns and may be a useful treatment option for various human burns.

L-Carnitine enhances exercise endurance capacity by promoting muscle oxidative metabolism in mice

l-Carnitine (LC), the bioactive form of carnitine, has been shown to play a key role in muscle fuel metabolism during exercise, resulting in increased fatty acid oxidation and energy expenditure. However, whether LC contributes to improved endurance exercise performance remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LC administration on endurance capacity and energy metabolism in mice during treadmill exercise. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups (sedentary and exercise) and received daily oral administration of LC (150 mg/kg) or vehicle with a high-fat diet for 3 weeks. During the experimental period, all animals were trained three times a week on a motorized treadmill, and the total running time until exhaustion was used as the index of endurance capacity. LC administration induced a significant increase in maximum running time with a reduction of body fat compared with the control group when mice were subjected to programmed exercise. The serum levels of triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid, and urea nitrogen were significantly lower in the LC group than the corresponding levels in the control group, while serum ketone body levels were higher in the LC group. Muscle glycogen content of LC administered-mice was higher than that of control mice, concomitant with reduced triglyceride content. Importantly, muscle mRNA and protein expressions revealed enhanced fatty acid uptake and oxidative metabolism and increased mitochondrial biogenesis by LC administration. These results suggest that LC administration promotes fat oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis while sparing stored glycogen in skeletal muscle during prolonged exercise, resulting in enhanced endurance capacity.

L-Carnitine inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum and the related mechanisms

Objective: To investigate whether L-carnitine (LC) inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum and the related mechanism. Methods: One percent erythrocyte suspension was cultured by three kinds of mediums in vitro, which was included in the control group (Group C, phosphate buffered saline [PBS]), the uremic serum group (Group U, 30% uremic serum + 70% PBS) and the LC group (Group L, 30% uremic serum + 70% PBS + 200 umol/L LC), respectively. Erythrocytes were collected at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Phosphatidylserine (PS) was estimated from Annexin-V-binding and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry, glutathione (GSH) was estimated from Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) by Microplate reader. Results: Eryptosis in Group C increased as the incubating time extended (3.43 ± 0.37 at 24 h, 4.21 ± 0.44 at 48 h). Eryptosis increased in Group U compared with Group C (6.5 1 ± 0.71 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 8.55 ± 0.76 at 48 h, p < 0.01), while decreased in Group L compared with Group U (5.80 ± 0.69 at 24 h, p < 0.05; 7.87 ± 0.76 at 48 h, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, ROS of erythrocytes increased in Group U compared with Group C (33.12 ± 1.61 versus 14.83 ± 2.22 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 42.06 ± 1.81 versus 20.94 ± 1.78 at 48 h, p < 0.01), and GSH decreased in Group U compared with Group C (25.66 ± 0.32 versus 31.27 ± 0.38 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 8.53 ± 0.59 versus 17.29 ± 0.54 at 48 h, p < 0.01). ROS of erythrocytes decreased in Group L compared with Group C (26.29 ± 1.69 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 36.21 ± 2.00 at 48 h, p < 0.01). GSH increased in Group L compared with Group U (27.54 ± 0.60 at 24 h, p < 0.01; 15.18 ± 0.42 at 48 h, p < 0.01). Conclusions: LC inhibits eryptosis induced by uremic serum, which possibly relates to oxidative stress in part.

The Effect of L-Carnitine and Intralipid Emulsion in Acute Verapamil Cardiotoxicity in Albino Rats

Calcium channel blockers (CCB) drugs poisoning continues to be deadly in severe cases despite recent advances and aggressive therapies. Clinically, this toxicity can manifest into severe cardiogenic shock that is often unresponsive to conventional calcium and supportive treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of L-carnitine, as an essential compound in cellular energy production, and intralipid emulsion 20% (ILE), as an adjunctive antidote used in selected critically ill poisoned patients, for the treatment of hypotension, Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and arterial blood gases (ABG) deficits in verapamil poisoned rats, either separately or in combination. The study was conducted on 64 albino rats divided into 8 groups (each of 8 rats). The groups are: group 1 (negative control group), group 2 (L-carnitine group), group 3 (ILE group), group4 (L-carnitine and ILE group), group 5 (verapamil group), group 6 (verapamil and L-carnitine group), group7 (verapamil and ILE group), group8 (verapamil, L-carnitine and ILE group). All animals were subjected to measurement of blood pressure, ECG recording, as well as ABG. Results: verapamil toxicity in group 5 was manifested by significant hypotension (both systolic and diastolic), ECG derangements in the form of bradycardia, prolongation of PR and QT intervals and ABG changes in the form of significant low (pH, HCO3, PaO2 and PaCO2). L-carnitine and ILE separate administration with verapamil in group 6 and group 7 respectively improved the blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and ABG parameters but they still showed statistical significant difference with both the control group and group 8, regarding )blood pressure and ECG( in group 6 and )blood pressure, ECG and ABG( in group 7. Co-administration of L-carnitine and ILE together with verapamil in group 8 showed significant improvement of all toxic parameters with insignificant difference with the control group. In conclusion, this study proved that the combined use of L-carnitine and ILE was the most effective treatment of verapamil-induced acute cardiotoxicity. Further studies are recommended on larger scale and on clinical implication to establish more the advantageous and disadvantageous of this novel therapy. It is recommended to use this novel therapy as an additive to the usual regime and when the latter fails to correct potentially fatal cases of CCB poisonings.

L-Carnitine supplementation improved clinical status without changing oxidative stress and lipid profile in women with knee osteoarthritis

Considering the pathologic importance of oxidative stress and altered lipid metabolism in osteoarthritis (OA), this study aimed to investigate the effect of l-carnitine supplementation on oxidative stress, lipid profile, and clinical status in women with knee OA. We hypothesized that l-carnitine would improve clinical status by modulating serum oxidative stress and lipid profile. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 72 overweight or obese women with mild to moderate knee OA were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive 750 mg/d l-carnitine or placebo for 8 weeks. Dietary intake was evaluated using 24-hour recall for 3 days. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid profile, visual analog scale for pain intensity, and patient global assessment of severity of disease were assessed before and after supplementation. Only 69 patients (33 in the l-carnitine group and 36 in the placebo group) completed the study. l-Carnitine supplementation resulted in significant reductions in serum MDA (2.46 ± 1.13 vs 2.16 ± 0.94 nmol/mL), total cholesterol (216.09 ± 34.54 vs 206.12 ± 39.74 mg/dL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (129.45 ± 28.69 vs 122.05 ± 32.76 mg/dL) levels compared with baseline (P < .05), whereas these parameters increased in the placebo group. Serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TAC levels did not change significantly in both groups (P > .05). No significant differences were observed in dietary intake, serum lipid profile, MDA, and TAC levels between groups after adjusting for baseline values and covariates (P > .05). There were significant intragroup and intergroup differences in pain intensity and patient global assessment of disease status after supplementation (P < .05). Collectively, l-carnitine improved clinical status without changing oxidative stress and lipid profile significantly in women with knee OA.