Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental carcinogenic pollutant known to inactivate several proteins involved in DNA repair systems
while at the same time creating an oxidative stress that can result in additional DNA lesions. The testis and the lung are the target
organs for cadmium carcinogenesis. Increased production of oxidants
in vivo
can cause damage to intracellular macromolecules
such as DNA, proteins and lipids, which in turn lead to oxidative injury. So, this investigation aimed to evaluate the protective role
of L-Carnitine through up regulation of HSPs against DNA damage induced by cadmium chloride. The current study was carried
out on forty adult male rats, each with average weight 220-250g., were divided into 4 equal groups. 1
st
group was received saline
solution (0.5 ml/100 g body weight) and kept as control. 2
nd
group was received 500mg / kg body weight L-Carnitine
intraperitoneally (IP). 3
rd
group was administered 1.2 mg cadmium chloride IP. 4
th
group was received both cadmium chloride and
L-Carnitine simultaneously. The comet assay parameters showed significantly increased HSP70 and DNA damage in testis cells
after 10 and 56 days in the third group. Meanwhile, HSP70 showed significantly decreased levels after 10 days and 56 days in the
fourth group after L-Carnitine treatment simultaneously with cadmium chloride. The results of the present study demonstrate a
damaging effect of cadmium chloride on DNA of the testis cells (with low stress response). This damaging effect increases the
synthesis of HSP70 that upregulated by L-Carnitine treatment and showed ameliorative effect of the cells for recovery.