A study of the ameliorating effects of carnitine on hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition in rats.

AIM:To investigate the effects of carnitine on ameliorating hepatic steatosis induced by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in animal model.

METHODS

Eighteen normal Wistar rats and 19 cirrhotic Wistar rats induced by carbon tetrachloride were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., free access to food and drink (group A), TPN (group B) and TPN+carnitine (group C) for one week, respectively. Hepatic function, histology and its fat content were determined on the 7th day.

RESULTS

Hepatic triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) contents were significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A,and significantly lower in group C than in group B in both normal and cirrhotic rats (all P < 0.05). Histopathological examinations revealed that hepatic steatosis was more severe in group B than in group C in both normal and cirrhotic rats.

CONCLUSION

Carnitine can ameliorate hepatic steatosis associated with TPN in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic rats.