Abstract
Background: L-carnitine and vitamin E have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of L-carnitine, vitamin E and their combination in protection against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in rat heart.
Materials and methods: Fifty male Wistar rats assigned to five groups; control, ISO-treated group (100 mg/kg), ISO + vitamin E-treated group (100 IU/kg), ISO + L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) and ISO + vitamin E + L-carnitine treated group. At the end of the experiment, serum cardiac enzyme as well as the cardiac level malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed. Histopathological changes in the left ventricle wall were assessed using the light and electron microscopy.
Results: Treating rats with vitamin E and L-carnitine could alleviate ISO-induced changes as it significantly reduced the serum level cardiac enzymes, MDA and IL-6, TNF-alpha and improved the antioxidants enzymes (SOD, GSPxase and GSRase). Histopathologically, they improved cardiac fibres atrophy, haemorrhages between cardiac fibres, lost striations, and disturbed sarcomere structure. The combined effect of vitamin E and L-carnitine was more superior compared to the other groups.
Conclusions: Combined administration of vitamin E, L-carnitine ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological cardiac injury induced by ISO. The effect seemed to be mediated through the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin E, L-carnitine. Administration of these two elements is recommended for patient at risk for myocardial infarction.