The influence of L-carnitine suplementation on the antioxidative abilities of serum and the central nervous system of ethanol-induced rats

Abstract

The brain is exceptionally susceptible to oxidative stress that may be caused by xenobiotics such as ethanol. Alcohol metabolism is accompanied by enhanced free radical formation and a decrease in antioxidant abilities. However, L-carnitine appears to have antioxidant properties and the ability to regulate ethanol metabolism. The present study was designed to estimate the effect of L-carnitine on the antioxidant capacity of the rat brain and blood serum. For 5 weeks during the study, L-carnitine was given to rats in the amount of 1.5 g/1 l of drinking water, and from the second week the rats were intragastrically treated with ethanol. A significant decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (Cu,Zn-SOD, GSH-Px, GSSG-R and CAT) and in the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, E, A, GSH and GSH-t) as well as a significant increase in the level of GSSG in the brain and blood serum of ethanol intoxicated rats have been demonstrated. It has also been shown that alcohol caused a significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation products-lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal-and an increase in dityrosine, as well as a decrease in tryptophan-markers of protein oxidative modifications. The administration of L-carnitine to ethanol intoxicated rats partially normalized the activity of the examined enzymes and the level of the above non-enzymatic antioxidants. Moreover, L-carnitine significantly protects lipids and proteins against oxidative modifications. In conclusion, it has been proved that L-carnitine protects rat brain and blood serum against oxidative stress formation and it is possible that this small molecular amine has a similar beneficial effect on the human CNS.

Doxorubicin Toxicity can be Ameliorated during Antioxidant L‐Carnitine Supplementation

“…The increase in GSH level lead to increase in the activity of GSHPx in which the former acts as a cofactor for later [48]. Our results are consistent with previous studies reported that L-carnitine had similar non-enzymatic free-radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activitys [16, 49]. …”

“…The acyl groups are then transferred from carnitine to coenzyme A within the mitochondrion [15]. Carnitine has a protective effect on lipid peroxidation by reducing the formation of hydrogen peroxide [16, 17] and is associated with buffering of excess acyl-CoA, which is potentially toxic to the cells. It is also improve antioxidant status in rats and showed free radical scavenging activity as well [18].…”

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Identification of gene expression profile in the rat brain resulting from acute alcohol intoxication

“…Further studies have revealed that acute alcohol intoxication may be involved in alcoholic psychosis and alcoholic encephalopathy, suggesting that it may cause irreversible damage to central nervous system [6,7]. Recently, pathophysiology and etiology of acute alcohol intoxication through experimental practice on rodent models have gotten much attention, among which rat models have been universally adopted to discover the influence of acute alcohol intoxication on the central nervous system (CNS) [8,9]. Abundant rat models of acute alcohol intoxication have shown that acute alcohol intoxication may stimulate genetic expression of neural cells of the cerebellum, which may take significant part in the prognosis and treatment of CNS lesions [10,11].…”

L-carnitine prevents memory impairment induced by chronic REM-sleep deprivation

“…The increased SOD activity seen on treatment could be because of the anti-radical effects of L-CAR and its antioxidant role as a metal chelator [53], and the increase in catalase activity upon L-CAR administration may be attributed to the improved activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) that generates NADPH which is required for the regeneration of catalase activity [8]. Also, L-CAR can protect the endogenous antioxidant defense system activities, including GPx, catalase and SOD from peroxidative damage [16,34]. Furthermore, various studies suggest neuroprotective effects of carnitines in conditions of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress and in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases [17,57].…”

“…In addition, L-CAR has antioxidant effect via scavenging hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals, thus protecting cells against lipid peroxidation and membrane breakdown as shown using different in vitro assays [32], [22]. Also, L-CAR can protect the endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from peroxidative damage [16,34]. L-CAR is very effective in normalizing age-associated alterations of oxidative status [56,65].…”