Effects of L-carnitine treatment on oxidant/antioxidant state and vascular reactivity of streptozotocin-diabetic rat aorta.

In this study, the effects of L-carnitine treatment on lipids, lipid peroxidation of plasma, reactivity and antioxidant enzyme activity of aorta were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Treatment with L-carnitine (0.6 g kg(-1) daily, i.p.) was started 8 weeks after the induction of diabetes and continued for 2 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin (45 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and blood glucose levels were significantly increased, although free carnitine levels were markedly decreased in diabetic rats. L-Carnitine treatment completely normalized plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, free carnitine and TBARS levels but partially restored blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. STZ-diabetes caused a significant reduction in the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh). In diabetic aorta, TBARS levels and catalase (CAT) activity were significantly increased but glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was unchanged. Treatment of diabetic rats with L-carnitine resulted in partial restoration of the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to ACh and completely normalized the oxidant/antioxidant state. These results suggested that the beneficial effects of L-carnitine treatment partially improve vascular reactivity and antioxidant property beyond its reduction of plasma lipids and it may have an important therapeutic approach in the treatment of diabetic vascular complications.