Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of valporic acid on the bone of adult male guinea pigs and the possible protective role of L-carnitine

Abstract

Background: Valporic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug and is effective in the treatment of different types of epileptic seizures. It usually affects bone and mineral metabolism and increase the risk of fractures due to decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Among dietary supplements, L-carnitine is an emergic candidate with potential bone protective effects. It promotes energy utilization and is important for tissues with high energy requirements. Objective: The target of this work is to estimate the effect of valproic acid on the femur and the possible protective effect of L-carnitine administration in adult male guinea pigs. Materials & Methods: Forty adult male guinea pigs were utilized in the current study. The guinea pigs were divided into four groups, Group I (control group), Group II(L-carnitine treated group), Group III (Valporic acid treated group) and Group IV (L-carnitine and valporic acid treated group). After 10 weeks, the upper parts of femur were processed for histological, morphological and immunohistochemical studies. Results: Valporic acid treated group was associated with enhanced bone turnover as evident by a significant change in serum levels of calcium, osteocalcin and TRAP. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in trabecular and cortical bone thickness and a significant change in the mean number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Histologically, evidence of bone resorption was manifested in the femoral bone with resorption cavities, irregular endosteal surface. Decrease of collagen in the cortical bone was evident in trichrome-stained sections. Immunohistochemically, this group showed positive immunoreactivity for caspase-3 in osteocytes and decrease in osteopontin expression in bone matrix. L-carnitine supplementation with valporic acid in group IV has ameliorating effect on the histological abnormalities of bone. Conclusion: L-carnitine improved the biochemical, histological and morphometric changes induced by VPA, and therefore, there is a potential benefit in using L-carnitine with long term administration of valporic acid.

L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba Supplementation In Vivo Ameliorates HCD-Induced Steatohepatitis and Dyslipidemia by Regulating Hepatic Metabolism

“…Lobular inflammation: no foci (0), 2 foci (1), 2-4 foci (2), 4 foci (3) per 20× field. Hepatic fibrosis: No fibrosis (0), fibrous with or without short septa in some portal areas (1), fibrous with or without short septa in most of the portal tracts (2), fibrous with portal-portal bridges in most portal areas (3), fibrous with portal-portal bridges and portal enter bridges in portal areas (4), noticeable portal-portal bridges or/and bridges with occasional nodules (5), and cirrhosis (6).…”

“…L-carnitine (LC), a quaternary ammonium molecule (β-hydroxy-γ-N-trimethylaminobutyric acid), is synthesized from L-lysine and L-methionine in the kidneys and liver. It exerts various physiological effects by participating in energy metabolism [6][7][8]. Its primary role involves serving as an essential mitochondrial respiratory cofactor, facilitating long-chain fatty acid transport into the mitochondrial matrix for β-oxidation, thereby increasing energy production [9].…”

The Possible Pre-emptive Role of Royal Jelly and Alpha Lipoic Acid on Osteoporosis Caused by Glucocorticoid in Adult Male Albino Rats

“…Negative control sections were processed by substituting the primary antibody with buffer alone. (19) . All these sections were examined and photographed using Olympus light microscope (Tokyo, Japan) coupled to an Olympus digital camera (DXC-1850P, Tokyo, Japan) in Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University.…”

Anti-kindling effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and L-carnitine in the pentylenetetrazol model of epilepsy

“…L-Carnitine (LC), a trimethylamine-β-hydroxybutyrate, is produced naturally in the body from the amino acids’ methionine and lysine (Ali 2020 ; Sallam et al 2021 ). LC is an essential mitochondrial respiratory cofactor needed for the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix during the generation of metabolic energy (Aboubakr et al 2020 ).…”