The possible role of L-carnitine on the skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats

Abstract

Low muscle strength is observed during the peri-and postmenopausal periods, when the secretion of ovarian hormones is drastically reduced. It is also a predictive of adverse health events as well as incident mobility limitation and disability. The objective of the present study is to study the biochemical and the histological changes in the skeletal muscle of premature menopause-induced rats and the possible protective role of L-carnitine. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were gavaged with L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) daily for 60 days starting from the second post-operative day. Serum levels of estradiol and markers of skeletal muscle damage (creatine kinase and lactic dehydrogenase activities) were determined. Light and electron microscopic study of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QFM) specimens were done. OVX rats showed significant decrease in the serum estradiol level with significant increase the markers for skeletal muscle damage. Histopathological examination of the QFM showed degenerated myofibers, apoptotic changes and compensatory hypertrophy. Degenerated mitochondria, multiple lysosomes and lipid droplets among the damaged myofibrils were also noticed. L-carnitine administration to the OVX rats resulted in non-significant change in the serum estradiol level with significant attenuation of skeletal muscle damage either biochemically or histopathologically. In conclusion, L-carnitine administration recovered muscle degeneration after ovariectomy. This finding suggested that L-carnitine could be recommended in the management of post-menopausal myopathy.

左卡尼汀(而非辅酶q10)提高阿托伐他汀在切除卵巢的老鼠的抗骨质疏松作用

“…It significantly decreased triglycerides, ACP, and ALP, and improved bone microstructure by decreasing bone turnover (Hooshmand et al, 2008). In OVX rats, L-carnitine decreased muscle damage suggesting a potential protective effect against postmenopausal myopathy (Moustafa and Boshra, 2011). The current evidence does not support CoQ10 supplementation in statins' myopathy (Schaars and Stalenhoef, 2008).…”

“…The OVX rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8) treated daily for eight weeks by oral gavage as follows: OVX-untreated (saline), OVX+ E2 (17β-estradiol, 0.1 mg/kg (Huber et al, 2007)), OVX+AT (atorvastatin, 50 mg/kg (Uyar et al, 2009;Chang et al, 2011)), OVX+AT+LC (atorvastatin+ L-carnitine, 100 mg/kg (Moustafa and Boshra, 2011)), and OVX+AT+CQ (atorvastatin+CoQ10, 20 mg/kg (Chirapapaisan et al, 2012)). At the end of treatment, BMD and BMC were measured.…”

“…In OVX rats, oral L-carnitine (100 mg/(kg·d) for two months) significantly reduced skeletal muscle degeneration (Moustafa and Boshra, 2011). Also it decreased the CK level, improved skeletal muscle histopathological changes, and improved mitochondrial respiratory function (Kumaran et al, 2005).…”

Effects of L-Carnitine Supplement on Serum Levels of Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone in Felines Following Ovariohysterectomy

“…The results indicated that the addition of L-carnitine in the diet of the cats does not affect the serum levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone after ovariohysterectomy. Mustafa et al conducted the study on ovariectomized rats (26). The rats were gavaged with 100 mg/kg L-carnitine for 60 days.…”

Fatty Acid Oxidation and Cardiovascular Risk during Menopause: A Mitochondrial Connection?

“…In a menopausal setting, twelve weeks of endurance exercise have been demonstrated to provide some benefits in increasing lipid oxidation, besides improving other cardiorespiratory parameters [135, 136]. Carnitine, which is essential to long-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation, has been shown to recover some of skeletal muscle function and inhibit alterations in ovariectomized rats [137]. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, no work on the impact of carnitine on lipid profile and oxidation in the menopausal heart has been provided.…”