The effects of L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine on carbontetrachloride induced acute liver damage in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LCAR) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver damage in rats.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Totally, 40 rats in 5 groups were included in the study. The first group was the control group. Group 2 received CCl4 (2 ml/kg). Group 3 was given CCl4 + NAC (150 mg/kg). The rats in the Group 4 were administered CCl4 + LCAR (100 mg/kg), and the rats in the Group 5 were given CCl4 + NAC + LCAR. Both CCl4 and the treatment protocols were administered via intraperitoneal route for 10 days. Tissue oxidative stress and antioxidant markers were investigated in liver tissue and serum liver enzymes were measured.

RESULTS

The levels of blood liver enzymes (ALT and AST) increased significantly in the Group 2. However, they decreased markedly in all treatment groups. While malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels in the liver tissue samples increased significantly in the 2nd group, those levels were determined to be decreased significantly in all treatment groups. When the liver tissue antioxidant levels were evaluated; reduced glutathione and catalase decreased markedly in the 2nd group, but increased following the administration of NAC and LCAR. The activities of liver tissue superoxide dismutase did not differ significantly among the groups. In the histopathologic evaluation of liver tissues, on the other hand, diffuse hepatosteatosis was observed in all groups except the control group and there was no significant difference among the groups from the point of steatosis.

CONCLUSION

LCAR and NAC were concluded to have beneficial effects on the acute liver damage induced by CCl4 administration (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 52). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.